No fatalities

Fuel Exhaustion Forces Landing on Dirt Road, Aircraft Strikes Tree (N427C)

EL Paso, TX, US

On May 6, 1996, a Stinson 108-2 (registration N427C) was involved in an aviation accident near EL Paso, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the unfavorable en route wind. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported fuel exhaustion after encountering unexpected winds, forcing a landing on a dirt road. The aircraft bounced, struck a small tree, and came to rest on its nose.

Incident Overview

The pilot reported that at takeoff, the aircraft had 50 gallons of fuel on board. According to the pilot's calculations, this fuel quantity would allow a flight duration of 4.6 hours. The planned flight time was 4.1 hours.

Encountering Unexpected Winds

During the en route phase, the pilot encountered winds that caused the estimated time of flight to extend to 4.7 hours. As a result, the airplane ran out of fuel approximately 8 miles from the destination airport.

Forced Landing

The pilot performed a forced landing on a dirt road. Approximately 300 feet from the touchdown point, the road dropped slightly, causing the airplane to bounce. The aircraft then struck a small tree before coming to rest on its nose.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 May 1996 Stinson 108-2 accident near EL Paso, TX?

A pilot reported fuel exhaustion after encountering unexpected winds, forcing a landing on a dirt road. The aircraft bounced, struck a small tree, and came to rest on its nose.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 May 1996 Stinson 108-2 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 May 1996 involved a Stinson 108-2, registration N427C, at EL Paso, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the unfavorable en route wind.

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.