Flight Details
A student pilot was conducting her first solo cross-country flight. According to the pilot, she performed a preflight inspection and believed that at least 18 gallons of fuel were onboard. After takeoff, she flew to Mojave Airport, where she performed two takeoffs and landings. She then climbed to 6,500 feet mean sea level and proceeded toward Burbank.
Engine Power Loss and Forced Landing
Approximately 5 minutes before all engine power was lost, the fuel gauges indicated about 1/4 full. The pilot executed a forced landing, during which the airplane collided with power lines and rough terrain.
Fuel Status and Experience
The operator reported that, according to records, the airplane had been flown for 2.3 tachometer hours in the 3 days preceding the accident flight and had not been refueled afterward. The accident flight lasted about 1.5 tachometer hours. Cessna performance data indicated that with a lean mixture at 75 percent engine power, the fuel consumption rate would be about 6.1 gallons per hour. At this rate, fuel exhaustion could occur after about 4.0 hours of engine operation, or less time if the mixture was not leaned, or if the 24.5 gallon usable capacity tanks were less than full. At the time of the accident, the student's total pilot-in-command flying experience was 5.3 hours.