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Fuel Exhaustion Leads to Power Loss and Forced Landing at Gainesville (N4500Q)

Gainesville, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 12, 1984, a Cessna 411 (registration N4500Q) operated by VSM Corporation was involved in an aviation accident near Gainesville, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, Phase of operation: approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (IFR), Findings: 1. (f) fluid,fuel - exhaustion, 2. (c) preflight planning/preparation - improper - pilot in command, 3. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archiveUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft suffered a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion while on an ILS approach to Gainesville Airport. The pilot had previously reported low fuel. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries.

Incident Details

While conducting an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to Gainesville Airport, the aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot had advised approach control that the aircraft was low on fuel. After two missed approaches, the pilot radioed that the aircraft was out of fuel. Investigation revealed that the pilot did not have charts or approach plates aboard the aircraft, a factor of which air traffic control was unaware. Attempts to acquire additional information from the pilot were unsuccessful. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries.

Probable Cause Findings

The official investigation identified two occurrences. Occurrence #1 was a total loss of engine power (nonmechanical) during the approach phase (from the final approach fix/outer marker to the threshold in IFR conditions). Findings included: fluid fuel exhaustion; improper preflight planning/preparation by the pilot in command; inadequate fuel system management by the pilot in command; and improper in-flight planning/decision-making by the pilot in command. Occurrence #2 was a forced landing during the landing flare/touchdown phase.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

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