The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing onto a road at about 1730 Pacific time. The commercial pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported visually checking fuel quantity and determining he had enough fuel to make the cross-country flight and return. On the return leg, the engine sputtered; the pilot switched to the other fuel tank and the engine ran normally for a short time, then lost power. On-scene examination revealed the airplane was equipped with an exhaust system placarded “fuel flow/use may be higher than normal…”
June 8, 2011, Santa Clarita, Calif., Cessna 177 Cardinal
The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing onto a road at about 1730 Pacific time. The commercial pilot and the pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The pilot reported visually checking fuel quantity and determining he had enough fuel to make the cross-country flight and return.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on a road, but the commercial pilot and pilot-rated passenger were uninjured.
- The engine lost power on the return leg of a flight, despite the pilot's visual check indicating sufficient fuel for the trip.
- On-scene examination revealed the aircraft had an exhaust system placarded to indicate potentially higher than normal fuel consumption, suggesting the pilot miscalculated fuel needs.
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