Accident Overview
On October 8, 2018, at 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-161, registration N2250S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Grass Valley, California. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was being operated as an instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
Flight Details
The pilot had completed three previous solo flights and this was her first solo cross-country flight. The planned route began at Auburn Municipal Airport (AUN) and included intermediate stops at Lincoln Regional Airport, Colusa County Airport, Willows/Glenn County Airport, Haigh Field Airport, Red Bluff Municipal Airport, and back to AUN. Before departure, the pilot confirmed the left fuel tank was full and the right fuel tank was "to the tabs," which corresponds to approximately 17 gallons. No refueling occurred during the flight. The pilot flew with the left tank selected for most of the flight and switched to the right tank near Orville, California, after departing Red Bluff.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
When the airplane was about 5 miles from Grass Valley Airport (GOO) at an altitude of about 5,000 feet above ground level, the engine began to sputter. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success and contacted the GOO air traffic control tower to report an engine failure. She received clearance to land at GOO, but the airplane was at 3,200 feet agl and continuing to lose altitude. Determining that the airplane would not reach the airport, she performed a forced landing to an open field. During the landing, the nose landing gear collapsed and the right wing was damaged.
Post-Accident Examination
Recovery personnel removed 17 gallons of fuel from the right wing fuel tank, while the left wing fuel tank was empty. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane and found no preimpact mechanical anomalies.