Fuel Exhaustion During Final Approach

Flight Details and Fuel Planning The pilot reported departing with 30 gallons of fuel onboard, estimating that the right and left fuel tanks contained 20 gallons and 10 gallons, respectively. The accident flight lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes. The pilot stated that he planned on a fuel burn rate of 8.5 gallons per hour. Using that fuel burn rate, the calculated fuel consumption for the accident flight was 19.8 gallons. ## Accident Sequence While on final approach, the engine lost power. The airplane impacted a 6-foot-wide drainage ditch. The aircraft sustained damage to the left wing, the lower fuselage structure, and the nose and left landing gear. ## Post-Accident Findings Post-accident inspection of the airplane showed that the right tank was empty and there was fuel present in the left tank. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had switched fuel tanks before the loss of engine power.