Fuel Exhaustion During Final Approach at Pézenas

Incident Overview and Context On July 12, 2012, at 20:58 local time, a Piper PA28 registered HB-PFE, operated by a flying club, crashed into a quarry near Pézenas (34) after experiencing fuel exhaustion during final approach. The pilot and two passengers sustained injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed. The flight originated from Geneva, Switzerland, with a full fuel load of 108 liters of 100 LL added. The pilot planned a sequence of flights: Geneva to Cannes (estimated 1 hour 50 minutes), Cannes to La Môle (estimated 20 minutes), and a 45-minute instructional flight at La Môle involving maneuvering exercises and five circuits. The final leg to Pézenas was estimated at 1 hour 30 minutes. The pilot believed the remaining fuel indicated by the dashboard was sufficient for the final leg, though taxi time was not factored into the estimates as it could not be determined by the investigation.