KANKAKEE, IL, USA
N4374K
RYAN NAVION A
THE AIRPLANE WAS WITHIN 10 MILES OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT MADE A HARD FORCED LANDING IN A CORNFIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF (40 GALLONS) WHEN THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED. HIS FLIGHT PLANNING INDICATED THE TRIP WOULD TAKE 2 1/3 HOURS, AND HIS ESTIMATED FUEL FLOW WAS 13.1 GALLONS PER HOUR. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 2 1/4 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE WAS INDICATING LOWER THAN HE EXPECTED DURING THE FLIGHT, BUT HE CONTINUED TOWARD HIS DESTINATION, JUDGING HIS AVAILABLE FUEL BY THE DURATION OF THE FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM WAS SUCH THAT THE MAIN FUEL TANKS COULD APPEAR FULL BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY WERE, AND MISLEAD REFUELLERS.
THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION MAKING AND MISJUDGED FUEL SUPPLY. A RELATED FACTOR IS THE INADEQUATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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