No fatalities

Pilot Loses Engine Power After Fuel Exhaustion During Aerial Assessment

Glasgow, MT, United States

On June 14, 2011, a CESSNA 188 operated by Gus T's Aircraft Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Glasgow, MT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of fuel due to losing track of time, leading to a loss of engine power. 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

While judging a field for spraying at 700 feet, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, leading to a hard landing that damaged the landing gear and vertical stabilizer.

Incident Overview

A pilot was flying at an altitude of 700 feet over a field to assess its suitability for spraying. During the assessment, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted a forced landing in an adjacent field.

Landing and Damage

The airplane touched down hard in wet grass, resulting in damage to the landing gear and vertical stabilizer.

Pilot's Account

Reflecting on the event, the pilot reported that he had lost track of time and ran out of fuel, which caused the loss of engine power. The pilot also stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal flight.

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of fuel due to losing track of time, leading to a loss of engine power.

Contributing factors

Fluid managementPilot