Aircraft Forced Landing on Shopping Mall Roof Due to Fuel Exhaustion (N49508)

Incident Overview and Immediate Actions During the flight, the pilot and passenger did not verify the fuel quantity before departure. While approaching the destination, the engine began to fluctuate between 2,500 and 500 rpm. The pilot informed air traffic controllers that the aircraft had no fuel. After the engine quit, the pilot attempted a forced landing in a shopping mall parking lot. Upon observing cars in the area, the pilot redirected the aircraft and made a forced landing on the roof of the mall. ## Post-Crash Examination and Findings FAA and Fire Department personnel examined the aircraft and the crash site. The investigation determined that the aircraft contained no usable fuel and that there was no precrash or post-crash fuel leakage. The carburetor was replaced, and the engine was started and operated to full power with no evidence of failure or malfunction. A teardown examination of the accident carburetor also showed no evidence of failure or malfunction. Additionally, all fuel lines were found to be unobstructed. ## Operator Statements and Fuel Data The aircraft operator stated that the aircraft had flown 4.5 flight hours since the last refueling. The operator also noted that the aircraft holds 24.5 gallons of usable fuel and consumes about 6 gallons of fuel per flight hour.