On August 31, 1996, a Cessna 305A (registration N5277G) operated by Air Ads, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near San Diego, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's improper preflight planning, and an inadequate fuel supply. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A pilot reported a total loss of engine power while towing a banner, leading to a forced landing on rough hillside terrain. Postaccident examination found no fuel in the tanks.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported experiencing a total loss of engine power while towing a banner. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing on the rough terrain of a hillside. No fuel was found in the airplane's tanks during the postaccident examination.
Operational Details
At the time of the power loss, the airplane had been operated for approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes since its last refueling. The airplane held about 37.8 gallons of usable fuel, and its fuel burn-off rate was approximately 10.5 gallons per hour.
Postaccident Findings
The postaccident examination revealed no fuel remaining in the airplane's tanks.