Accident Details
On July 8, 012, at approximately 1300 eastern daylight time, a Bellanca 7GCAA, registration N8733V, struck terrain one mile short of runway 06 at Virgil I. Grissom Municipal Airport (KBFR) in Bedford, Indiana. The pilot received minor injuries, while the passenger was seriously injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The aircraft, registered to and operated by the pilot of Salem, Indiana, was being used for a personal flight under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.
Flight History
The local flight originated from Logan County Airport (KAAA) in Lincoln, Indiana, at about 1139. According to the pilot's accident report, the fuel tanks were full with 21 gallons when he departed Salem Municipal Airport (KI83) in Salem, Indiana, at 0900. He arrived at KAAA at approximately 1110. No airport attendant was present, and the airplane was not refueled. The pilot, a physician, received a telephone call from his hospital regarding a critically ill patient, necessitating a return to Salem as soon as possible.
During the preflight inspection, the fuel gauges indicated over half-full tanks, but the pilot stated he did not dip-stick the tanks. He flight-planned a fuel consumption rate of 8.5 gallons per hour. Due to rain showers in the Lincoln area, the pilot departed on a direct flight to Salem.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
When the airplane was 19 miles south of Bloomington, Indiana, or 17 miles from KBFR, the pilot observed that the fuel gauges were registering considerably less than previously noted. He steered the airplane toward KBFR. About 2 miles west of the airport, the engine sputtered and lost power shortly thereafter. The pilot executed a forced landing on rough terrain, during which the airplane nosed over.
Pilot Statement
The pilot acknowledged that he miscalculated the fuel consumption rate; he believed he would have 2.5 gallons remaining upon landing at KI83. He also noted he miscalculated the winds aloft and the effects of having to divert around weather.