Accident Details
On January 13, 2018, about 1130 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-236 airplane, registration N4345K, impacted terrain during a forced landing following an inflight loss of engine power. The accident occurred near Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane, registered to Piper-Dakota LLC and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, sustained substantial fuselage damage.
Flight History
The flight originated about 1000 from Memorial Field Airport (HOT) in Hot Springs, Arkansas, with a planned destination of Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport near Ardmore, Oklahoma. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan.
Fuel Management Issues
According to the pilot, he departed HOT with approximately 35 to 40 gallons of fuel distributed between the left and right tanks. He estimated the flight would require 20 gallons. While nearing the destination, the pilot became concerned about the fuel level in the left tank, which indicated between 1/4 full and empty. The right tank had no fuel remaining because the pilot intentionally ran it dry. He decided to divert to Tishomingo Airpark (0F9) near Tishomingo to ensure adequate fuel to complete the flight to Ardmore.
Diversion and Takeoff Without Fuel
Upon landing at 0F9, the pilot learned that no fuel was available at the airpark and that it had not stocked fuel for many months. An airpark attendant informed him that there was no place nearby to obtain fuel and suggested he try the next available airport. The pilot subsequently took off from 0F9 without refueling. When the airplane reached an altitude of about 1,500 feet above ground level, the engine "sputtered" as if out of fuel. The pilot immediately turned back toward the airport but could not clear trees in the area. The airplane impacted the trees and subsequently came to rest inverted on the terrain.
Pilot Statements
The pilot did not indicate in his accident report that he visually checked the fuel level before departing 0F9. He stated that the "left tank apparently goes empty somewhere prior to the 'E' on the fuel gauge" and that the gauges were inaccurate. Federal Aviation Regulation Part 23.1337, Powerplant Instruments Installation, requires that fuel quantity indicators be calibrated to read zero during level flight when the quantity of fuel remaining in the tank is equal to the unusable fuel supply.