Introduction
On May 25, 2019, about 1335 central daylight time, a Champion 8KCAB airplane, registered as N68557, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a field near Fredericksburg, Texas. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 for a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed.
Flight Details
The cross-country flight originated from Aero Country Airport (T31) in McKinney, Texas, about 1105, and was en route to Boerne Stage Field Airport (5C1) in San Antonio, Texas. The pilot reported that the annual inspection had just been completed on the airplane, and a test flight after the maintenance revealed no issues or anomalies. The pilot estimated a flight time of 2.5 hours to 5C1 and stated that the airplane had 30 gallons of fuel at takeoff.
Forced Landing
During cruise flight, the pilot experienced higher-than-forecast winds and became concerned about fuel quantity. He diverted towards Gillespie County Airport (T82) in Fredericksburg, Texas, but shortly thereafter, the engine lost power. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane collided with tree stumps and nosed over. The wings and empennage sustained substantial damage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. An examination of the engine and fuel system found no mechanical anomalies that would preclude normal operations. The pilot stated that there were no suspected mechanical anomalies with the airplane or engine.