AVOCA, PA, USA
N1613P
PIPER PA-22-150
APPROACH CONTROL ASKED THE PILOT HOW MUCH FUEL REMAINED, AND THE PILOT REPLIED THAT THERE WAS NO RESERVE FUEL. THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PILOT OF AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT CLOSER THAN THE PLANNED DESTINATION. THE PILOT ELECTED TO PROCEED TO THE PLANNED DESTINATION. DURING THE APPROACH, ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL POWER AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A STONE QUARRY. THE FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE INSPECTED AND ABOUT ONE QUART OF FUEL WAS FOUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS, AND 'FORCED LANDING RESULTED FROM WEATHER RELATED FUEL EXHAUSTION AT END OF CROSS COUNTRY TRIP. CLOSER ATTENTION TO HEAD WINDS AND ALTERNATE AIRPORTS COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE ACCIDENT.'
On July 23, 1995, at 1325 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA- 22-150, N1613P, was substantially damaged when the engine lost total power and a forced landing was performed in Avoca, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was not injured. The flight originated at Plattsburg, New York, at 0925, destined for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was an instrument flight plan for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB 6120.1/2, the pilot stated: ...Altitude was 7000 feet....During this interval, I was asked by approach for my exact fuel situation....Approach was so advised, with emphasis that there really was no further reserve fuel. I was offered an alternate airport as an option (Seamans, 9N3)....I did not accept the alternate. It was a closer airport and would have taken a shorter time, however, I was much more familiar with the terrain around the approach to Wilkes-Barre and was already planning my direction of flight should an emergency develop....I elected inbound to [Wilkes-Barre] and asked for a gradual decent from 7000 feet. The controller...said that he would keep me up high for as long as possible....I got to 2500 feet and 2 miles from touchdown....During final clearance to minimum decent altitude the engine lost all power.... Additionally, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions, and "[the] forced landing resulted from weather related fuel exhaustion at [the] end of [the] cross country trip. Closer attention to head winds and alternate airports could have prevented the accident." The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector stated: ...The pilot reported he ran out of fuel short of the runway. He made an emergency landing in a stone quarry doing damage to the [left] wing, [left] gear leg, nose gear, and propeller. The fuel tanks were inspected for fuel...by a mechanic...at the accident scene. The mechanic reported about one quart of fuel was found....
the pilot's poor inflight decision and improper fuel management resulting in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing over rocky terrain.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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