The Flight
A private pilot with 470 hours of flight experience departed on a night cross-country flight. During the preflight inspection, the pilot did not visually check the fuel quantity in each of the four wing fuel tanks, relying instead on the fuel gauges, which indicated all tanks were full for a total of 72 gallons.
The flight proceeded normally for 1 hour and 15 minutes until the airplane was on final approach to the destination airport. At an altitude of 800 feet above ground level, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a golf course.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed that the four wing fuel tanks were intact. No fuel was found in the left wing tanks or the right main tank, but the right auxiliary tank was full. The main fuel selector handle was set to the RIGHT MAIN position, and the auxiliary fuel selector handle was set to the FUSELAGE position. There was no evidence of fuel spillage or spoilage of vegetation on or around the airplane. Due to the extent of impact damage, the fuel system could not be pressurized and checked for leaks.
Key Details
- The pilot held a private pilot certificate.
- The flight was conducted at night and was cross-country.
- The pilot performed a preflight inspection but did not visually check fuel quantity in each wing tank.
- The fuel gauges indicated full tanks before departure.
- The engine failure occurred on final approach at 800 feet AGL.
- The forced landing was made to a golf course.
- Post-accident, three of the four wing fuel tanks were empty; the right auxiliary tank remained full.
- The main fuel selector was set to RIGHT MAIN; the auxiliary selector was set to FUSELAGE.
- No fuel spillage or vegetation spoilage was observed.
- Fuel system integrity could not be verified due to impact damage.