On July 17, 1997, a Cessna 120 (registration N2550N) was involved in an aviation accident near Napoleon, OH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision to take off with inadequate fuel. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power, prompting a forced landing. Examination found no mechanical malfunction or fuel spill; right tank empty, left tank had about 1/2 gallon.
Incident Summary
During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power, and the pilot executed a forced landing. The aircraft subsequently came to rest in a field.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that the airplane experienced no problems prior to the loss of power. The fuel selector valve was set to 'BOTH' at the time of the event. During the preflight inspection, the pilot visually checked the fuel gauges, which incorporated a gray area indicating an inadequate fuel load for takeoff. The gauge indications were 'just above the gray area.'
Wreckage Examination
An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a fuel spill. No mechanical malfunction was identified. The right fuel tank was empty, and the left fuel tank contained approximately 1/2 gallon of fuel.