Flight Details
On the day of the incident, the pilot flew from Kissimmee Gateway Airport in Kissimmee, Florida, with a planned destination of Sandusky, Ohio, including a refueling stop in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Witnesses reported that the pilot topped off the fuel tanks before departing at 0830.
Vacuum Pump Malfunction
While en route, the pilot contacted Jacksonville Center to report a vacuum pump malfunction. The pilot elected to return to Kissimmee, landing at 0945. A mechanic removed and replaced the vacuum pump. The pilot then departed again at 1230 to continue the original trip. There is no record of the pilot adding fuel after returning to Kissimmee.
Fuel Exhaustion Incident
The flight proceeded uneventfully at 9,500 feet until 1555, when the pilot made a distress call stating he was out of fuel and descending. According to the FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet for the Piper PA-24-250, the airplane's total fuel capacity is 60 gallons, or 30 gallons in each wing tank with 4 gallons being unusable. The first leg was 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the second leg was 3 hours and 25 minutes, for a total flight time of 4 hours and 40 minutes. The Piper Comanche Owner's Handbook Power Setting Table for the Lycoming O-540-A engine indicates that at 75 percent rated horsepower, fuel consumption is approximately 14.0 gallons per hour.