No fatalities

Engine Power Loss During Landing Approach Prompts Forced Landing

Pomona, CA, United States

On July 6, 2008, a Cessna 172F operated by Blue Diamond Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Pomona, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his failure to refuel the airplane. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported engine power loss while turning base for landing, leading to a forced landing in a parking lot. The airplane struck a perimeter fence during the landing roll, causing wing damage. No fuel was found in the tanks.

Flight Details

The pilot began his cross-country flight with 2.4 hours of flight time since the fuel tanks were last topped off. The first leg lasted 1.1 hours, after which he landed and spent approximately 1.5 hours on the ground.

Engine Power Loss

Approximately 1.1 hours into the return flight, while turning base for landing, the engine lost power.

Forced Landing

The pilot executed a forced landing to a large parking lot. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a fence on the perimeter of the lot.

Damage

The aircraft's right wing lift strut was bent, and the leading edge of the right wing was wrinkled and bent.

Fuel Status

After the event, no fuel was found in the airplane's fuel tanks.

Contributing factors

PilotFence/fence post

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 Jul 2008 Cessna 172F accident near Pomona, CA?

A pilot reported engine power loss while turning base for landing, leading to a forced landing in a parking lot. The airplane struck a perimeter fence during the landing roll, causing wing damage. No fuel was found in the tanks.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 Jul 2008 Cessna 172F accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 Jul 2008 involved a Cessna 172F, operated by Blue Diamond Aviation, at Pomona, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his failure to refuel the airplane.