Background
On December 18, 2019, at 1743 central standard time, a Champion 7ECA airplane, registration N9566S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Starkville, Mississippi. The pilot received minor injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot was delivering the airplane for sale, flying a 400 nautical mile cross-country from North Houston Airport (9X1), Texas, to Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR), Mississippi. GTR lies approximately 050° from 9X1.
Flight Events
After about 4.5 hours of flight time and approximately 15 miles from GTR, the engine "hiccupped and appeared to run rougher." The pilot turned toward George M. Bryan Airport (STF), Mississippi, which was closer. During the turn, the right fuel gauge indicated empty, and the left gauge showed between 1/8 tank and empty. The engine then quit. The pilot attempted to restart but realized the airplane would not reach the runway. The airplane struck a tree near a highway during the forced landing, and both wings separated from the fuselage. The accident site was 15 miles west of GTR and two miles south of STF.
Post-Accident Observations
The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded reported no fuel in the fuel tanks and no evidence of fuel on the ground. The wreckage was disposed of before any additional examinations of the fuel gauges or wreckage could be conducted.
Fuel Planning
The pilot stated he used timing backed by gauges for fuel planning. He had filled the tanks to 36 gallons the night before the flight, providing 35 gallons of usable fuel. His normal fuel burn rate was 5.5 gallons per hour (GPH), but he planned using 6 GPH for a safety margin. He leaned the engine during the flight.
The pilot made an unplanned stop at Vicksburg Municipal Airport (VKS), Mississippi, after about 3 hours. He did not visually check the fuel tanks and chose not to add fuel based on timing and the gauges showing half-full tanks.
Post-accident fuel computations indicated the flight would take 4.7 hours and burn 28.2 gallons. This planning included fuel for start, taxi, takeoff, and climb at both airports, using a burn rate of 5.9 GPH at 5,500 ft MSL and 2,600 RPM. The calculations showed he should have arrived at GTR with 4.8 gallons, exceeding his 45-minute reserve requirement. He noted he would have needed to stop for fuel if the flight exceeded 5 hours.
Aircraft and Performance Data
The airplane was equipped with a Continental O-200-A engine (100 HP at 2,750 RPM). The pilot's operating handbook (POH) did not include performance data for the O-200-A but provided fuel burn rates for O-235-C1 engines (115 HP). For the O-235-C1 at 5,000 ft and 2,600 RPM, burn rate was 5.6 GPH with 6.3 hours endurance; at 2,700 RPM, 6.3 GPH (5.6 hrs); at 2,800 RPM, 8.9 GPH (3.9 hrs). The POH noted maximum cruise is normally 75% power, and fuel consumption estimates are based on proper leaning.
The pilot encountered higher than anticipated headwinds. Wind aloft forecasts valid for the flight at 6,000 ft showed: from Hobby Airport (HOU): 010°/12 knots; Shreveport (SHV): 340°/16 knots; Jackson (JAN): 350°/17 knots (initial period) and later HOU: 010°/08 knots, SHV: 340°/12 knots, JAN: 350°/16 knots.