LAMPASAS, TX, USA
N2446U
CESSNA 172D
A PILOT DECIDED TO TAKE HIS AIRPLANE FOR A SHORT FLIGHT IN THE LOCAL AREA KNOWING THAT HE HAD NOT REFUELED SINCE HIS LAST TWO FLIGHTS TOTALLING APPROXIMATELY THREE HOURS. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE SURFACE WINDS WERE BLOWING AT 13 KNOTS AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING INTO THE WIND, IN A SMALL CLEARING SURROUNDED BY TREES. THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT WAS LIMITED TO CHECKING THE FUEL GAGES ON THE AIRPLANE
On July 1, 1993, at approximately 2015 central daylight time, a Cessna 172D, N2446U, was substantially damaged upon impact with trees and the ground following a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Lampasas, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, he decided to take the airplane for a short flight in the local area knowing that he had not refueled since his last two flight totalling approximately three hours. The pilot added that about five minutes into the flight, a partial loss of engine power was experienced and he proceeded to bank the airplane to the left to head towards an open field, when the engine lost all power. He further stated that due to the strong surface winds he elected to turn the airplane into the wind to execute the forced landing. The airplane landed in a small field and ran into trees. The pilot stated that his preflight of the fuel system was limited to checking the fuel level on the airplane's fuel gauges. Post accident examination of the fuel cells by the pilot revealed that fuel in either fuel cell was between half a gallon, to a gallon of fuel. Damage to the airplane included a damaged right wing spar, a collapsed nose wheel, a buckled engine firewall, and a destroyed right wing aileron. The airplane was released to the owner at the accident site.
FUEL EXHAUSTION ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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