Accident Overview
During a local training flight, the airplane's engine lost power as a result of fuel exhaustion. The subsequent forced landing resulted in the aircraft striking trees.
Flight Details
Before departure, the flight instructor visually confirmed that each fuel tank was half full. Based on this quantity, he estimated approximately two hours of flying time. The flight departed, flew for about one hour, and then returned to the airport.
Sequence of Events
While the student pilot was executing touch-and-go landings, on the fourth takeoff/climb, as the airplane turned crosswind, the engine began to sputter. The flight instructor assumed control and aligned the airplane with runway 13. After overflying half of the 3,601-foot runway, he advanced the throttle to test engine response; the engine responded, and he initiated a climb to set up for another landing. However, as the instructor turned the airplane back toward runway 31, the engine lost total power.
Forced Landing and Post-Accident Inspection
The airplane came to rest approximately 0.5 miles north of the approach end of runway 31. An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and reported that both fuel tanks contained only residual fuel.