LINDEN, CA, USA
N6506P
PIPER PA 24-250
THE PILOT ESTABLISHED COMMUNICATIONS WITH APPROACH CONTROL AND STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING 'FUEL PRESSURE PROBLEMS.' HE FURTHER ADVISED THAT HE HAD 'MINIMUM FUEL.' WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER, THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A DIRT ROAD. THE UN-EVEN TERRAIN ON THE DIRT ROAD CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO SPIN DURING LANDING ROLL, WHICH CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT ON-SCENE. HE REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL CELLS WERE EMPTY AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF BROKEN FUEL LINES, FUEL LEAKAGE, NOR RUPTURED FUEL CELLS. IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD FLOWN TO 4 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS DURING THE DAY. HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT RE-FUEL DURING THE DAY AND THAT HE SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE FUEL BEFORE DEPARTING HIS LAST LOCATION.
THE PILOT IN COMMAND INACCURATELY CALCULATING THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL CONSUMPTION, AND NOT RE-FUELING THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO TAKEOFF FROM HIS LAST DEPARTURE POINT. THIS RESULTED IN A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING THE AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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