What happened
The aircraft departed from an airport in Dallas, Texas, at 15:44 Central Standard Time. At the time of departure, the airplane was loaded with a gross weight of 2,382.3 pounds. This load exceeded the maximum certified gross weight limit for the aircraft type by approximately 301 pounds.
The flight continued for approximately four hours and fifteen minutes after takeoff. During this phase of the flight, the pilot transmitted a message on a UNICOM frequency indicating that the airplane was low on fuel. Shortly thereafter, the pilot reported that the airplane had run out of fuel entirely and announced his intention to execute an off-airport landing.
The subsequent forced landing occurred at night. During the descent and impact sequence, the airplane struck powerlines before colliding with the terrain. Post-accident inspection of the fuel system revealed that only 30 ounces of fuel remained in the tanks.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the fuel system components following the accident. A quantitative analysis of the remaining fuel was conducted to determine the state of the fuel supply at the time of impact. The examination confirmed that a minimal amount of fuel, specifically 30 ounces, was drained from the airplane's fuel system after the collision with the ground.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this accident was fuel exhaustion. The pilot failed to ensure adequate fuel reserves for the duration of the flight. Additionally, the aircraft was operated in violation of its airworthiness limitations, as it departed Dallas with a gross weight that exceeded the maximum certified limit. The combination of an overloaded aircraft and insufficient fuel planning led to the loss of engine power and the subsequent forced landing.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure that the total weight of the aircraft, including fuel, passengers, and cargo, does not exceed the maximum certified gross weight for the specific model. Proper pre-flight planning is essential to calculate fuel requirements accurately, accounting for wind, altitude, and reserve requirements to prevent fuel exhaustion during flight.