Preflight and Inflight Fuel Concerns
During the preflight inspection, the flight instructor asked the student pilot about the fuel quantity on board. The student replied that there was about three hours of fuel. Once airborne, the instructor noticed that the right fuel gauge needle displayed little movement. After discussing fuel burn with the student, the instructor decided to return to the airport.
Student Pilot's Account
The student pilot, who owned the airplane, reported that when the instructor inquired about the fuel gauge during the flight, the student responded that the gauge "works intermittently."
Fuel Exhaustion and Emergency Landing
Approximately 5 nautical miles from the airport, the airplane experienced fuel exhaustion at 3,000 feet mean sea level. The instructor executed an emergency landing on a road. During the landing, the right wing struck a powerline pole.
Damage and Aftermath
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.