Fuel Exhaustion During Final Approach at Fayence Aerodrome (F-GIGX)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On July 5, 2015, at 15:40 local time, a Piper PA25 Pawnee registered F-GIGX, operated by a club, experienced a fuel exhaustion during final approach to runway 10 at Fayence aerodrome. The aircraft was conducting a glider tow operation when the engine stopped approximately 800 meters from the runway threshold. The pilot attempted to reach the runway but determined it was impossible, leading to a forced landing in a vineyard before the aerodrome perimeter. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, with the landing gear breaking upon contact with a vine post. The pilot was the sole person on board. The club operated two Piper PA25 aircraft: F-GIGX with a 140-liter tank (128 liters usable) and F-GFPD with a 151-liter tank (139 liters usable). Both aircraft had different mechanical fuel gauge designs, which contributed to the incident.