When Aircraft Fuel Runs Out

With the engine still running and sputtering, we were getting closer to the airport. With about 10.5 hours of dual under my belt, I was not frightened for some reason, assuming we would disembark and swim if it came to ditching.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A student pilot's pre-flight fuel check was rushed and inadequate, leading to the aircraft taking off with critically low fuel levels.
Mid-flight, the engine began sputtering over the San Francisco Bay, creating a high-stress emergency situation and forcing preparations for a potential water landing.
The incident served as a crucial lesson for the student pilot on the paramount importance of thoroughly verifying fuel quantity before flight, advocating for topping off tanks if not visibly full.

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For my 11th training flight, I arrived ready but my instructor was talking with someone. He told me to preflight the Cessna 152, and he would be right out. I completed the preflight and hopped aboard, strapping myself into the left seat. A few minutes later, my instructor got in, asking if I had any questions.

“Just one,” I said. “I can see fuel in both tanks, but I don’t know how much is there.” He reached past me to turn on the master switch and the gauges both settled on about tank. He said, “We’ve got enough, let’s go.”