MARTELLE, IA, USA
N198V
BELLANCA 17-30
ANTICIPATING A FUEL SHORTAGE ON A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PLT REQUESTED THE NEAREST AIRPORT FROM APPROACH CONTROL. THE NEAREST APT WAS WITHIN FIVE MILES OF HIS DESTINATION APT SO CONTINUED ON COURSE. ABOUT 15 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION, AND HAVING SWITCHED TO HIS LAST FUEL TANK WHICH INDICATED LESS THAN 1/4 TANK, THE PRESSURE GAUGE FLICKERED INDICATING IMMINENT FUEL EXHAUSTION. HE ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LDG ON A RURAL ROAD INSTEAD OF RISKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN UPCOMING POPULATED AREA. HE SELECTED A COUNTRY ROAD TO LAND ON WHILE HE STILL HAD POWER. DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT, THE ACFT STRUCK A ROAD SIGN CAUSING THE ACFT TO VEER INTO A DITCH. THE PLT SAID HIS FUEL COMPUTATIONS WERE BASED ON FUEL USED AND REMAINING. THE PLT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY BEFORE DEPARTING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
