Aircraft forced landing following fuel exhaustion

Casualties unknown • EL Paso, TX, US

An aircraft ran out of fuel approximately eight miles from its destination, resulting in an emergency landing on a dirt road and subsequent collision with a tree.

What happened

At the start of the flight, the pilot had 50 gallons of fuel on board. Based on the pilot's initial calculations, this amount of fuel provided for a flight duration of 4.6 hours, which was sufficient to cover the planned 4.1-hour flight time.

During the flight, the aircraft encountered wind conditions that increased the estimated time of arrival to 4.7 hours. As a result of these changes, the airplane experienced fuel exhaustion approximately 8 miles from the destination airport.

In response to the loss of engine power, the pilot performed an emergency landing on a dirt road. Approximately 300 feet after touching down, the aircraft encountered a slight drop in the road surface, which caused the airplane to bounce. The aircraft then struck a small tree before coming to rest on its nose. The pilot was not injured.

Probable cause

The aircraft ran out of fuel due to unexpected wind conditions that extended the flight duration beyond the available fuel supply.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1996-05-06 Stinson 108-2 accident near EL Paso, TX?

An aircraft ran out of fuel approximately eight miles from its destination, resulting in an emergency landing on a dirt road and subsequent collision with a tree.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-05-06 involved a Stinson 108-2, registration N427C, at EL Paso, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft ran out of fuel due to unexpected wind conditions that extended the flight duration beyond the available fuel supply.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05755. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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