Accident Overview
On July 11, 2010, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177, registration N3295T, collided with objects during an off-airport forced landing near Chino, California. The pilot/owner, a private pilot, was operating the airplane under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings due to impact forces.
Flight Details
The local personal flight departed Kernville, California, about 1245, en route to Corona, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he had prepared a flight plan the night before, intending to depart Brackett Field in La Verne, California, meet a friend at Tehachapi, California, then fly to Corona to fuel the airplane before returning to Brackett.
Fuel Planning
The pilot conducted a preflight and determined that the airplane had sufficient fuel for the planned 2-hour trip with appropriate reserves. He flew to Tehachapi and secured the airplane. After discovering that his friend was at Kern Valley Airport in Kernville, the pilot departed to that location without preflighting or considering how this leg would affect his fuel calculations.
Preflight at Kernville
After completing his visit at Kernville, the pilot performed an abbreviated preflight, which consisted of visually checking the fuel and oil levels. He looked into the tanks but did not physically measure the amount of fuel. He estimated the fuel on board and stated that he did not recognize that his fuel level was too low to make the flight. He then departed for Corona.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
The pilot stated that the airplane was over a housing tract in Chino Hills, California, a few miles northwest of Corona, when the fuel supply was exhausted and the engine lost power. He made a forced landing on a golf course but could not stop the airplane before it collided with ground obstacles.