PHELAN, CA, USA
N3437V
CESSNA 150M
THE STUDENT PLT DEPARTED RAMONA, CA ON A FLT TO PALOMAR, CA WHERE HE PLANNED TO REFUEL. HE REPORTED THAT HE MISSED THE 'PALOMAR TURN OFF', AND THEREAFTER, FLEW TO HESPERIA, CA & LANDED. NO FUEL WAS AVAILABLE AT HESPERIA. THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED THERE STILL WAS FUEL REMAINING, SO HE TOOK OFF FOR THE BARSTOW-DAGGETT ARPT, LOCATED 40 MI NORTHEAST. HOWEVER, AFTER FLYING 14 MI NORTHWEST, HE OBSERVED GEORGE AFB & INCORRECTLY IDENTIFIED IT AS HIS DESTINATION. WHEN HE REALIZED HIS MISTAKE, HE TURNED BACK TOWARD HESPERIA. WHILE ENROUTE, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. REPORTEDLY, THE FUEL GAUGES WERE STILL INDICATING APRX 1/4 FULL. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN ROUGH DESERT TERRAIN WHERE THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT HIT A JOSHUA TREE & THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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