No fatalities

Fuel Exhaustion During Cruise Results in Emergency Landing on State Highway

Vernal, UT, United States

On June 18, 2008, a Piper PA-24-250 operated by Barton P. Hyde was involved in an aviation accident near Vernal, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot not visually inspecting or measuring the fuel quantity in each tank prior to takeoff. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane experienced a complete loss of engine power during cruise due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot landed on a state highway, but the left wing struck a vehicle before the aircraft stopped.

Incident Overview During a cruise flight, the aircraft suffered a complete loss of engine power caused by fuel exhaustion. The pilot managed to execute an emergency landing on a state highway. However, just before the airplane came to a complete stop, its left wing impacted a vehicle. ## Contributing Factors The investigation noted that the pilot did not visually inspect or measure the fuel quantity in each tank prior to takeoff. This lack of pre-flight fuel verification contributed to the fuel exhaustion event during the cruise phase of the flight. ## Outcome The pilot successfully landed the airplane on the state highway despite the total loss of engine power. The only reported impact occurred when the left wing struck a vehicle immediately prior to the aircraft coming to a stop.

Probable cause

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot not visually inspecting or measuring the fuel quantity in each tank prior to takeoff.

Contributing factors

PilotContributed to outcome

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Jun 2008 Piper PA-24-250 accident near Vernal, UT?

An airplane experienced a complete loss of engine power during cruise due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot landed on a state highway, but the left wing struck a vehicle before the aircraft stopped.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Jun 2008 Piper PA-24-250 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Jun 2008 involved a Piper PA-24-250, operated by Barton P. Hyde, at Vernal, UT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot not visually inspecting or measuring the fuel quantity in each tank prior to takeoff.