The aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Paxton, Mass., at about 2100 local time; the Private pilot was not injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. According to an FAA inspector, the engine lost power, and the pilot force-landed about of a mile from Spencer Airports Runway 19. There was no sign of fuel leakage on either the airplane or the ground. The right fuel tank appeared to be empty, and the left fuel tank had a small, unknown quantity of fuel. When the airplane was moved into an upright position, 2.4 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing, and 43 ounces of fuel were drained from the right wing. There was no fuel in the gascolater, and about a teaspoon of fuel was drained at the carburetor. The inspector noted the pilot stated that he might have run out of fuel. According to the airplanes owners manual, 1.75 gallons of fuel are unusable in each fuel tank.
July 04, 2004, Paxton, Mass. / Cessna 150
The aircraft was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Paxton, Mass., at about 2100 local time; the Private pilot was not injured. Night visual conditions prevailed. According to an FAA inspector, the engine lost power, and the pilot force-landed about of a mile from Spencer Airports Runway 19. There was no sign of fuel leakage on either the airplane or the ground. The right fuel tank appeared to be empty, and the left fuel tank had a small, unknown quantity of fuel. When the airplane was moved into an upright position, 2.4 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing, and 43 ounces of fuel were drained from the right wing. There was no fuel in the gascolater, and about a te...
Key Takeaways:
- A private pilot made a forced landing in Paxton, Mass., due to engine power loss, resulting in substantial aircraft damage but no injuries.
- Investigators strongly suspect fuel exhaustion as the cause, noting the right fuel tank appeared empty, minimal fuel in the left, and only trace amounts in the fuel system.
- The pilot stated he might have run out of fuel, a possibility supported by the aircraft's manual specifying 1.75 gallons of unusable fuel per tank.
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