Piper PA 28-235 N8703W accident near Huntington, Indiana

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot reported that he departed on a 76-mile cross-country flight with about 5 gallons of fuel in the left main fuel tank, about 16 gallons in the right main tank, and 6 gallons in the right wingtip fuel tank. About 31 miles from the destination, with the left main fuel tank selected, the engine experienced a total loss of power and the pilot conducted a forced landing to a two-lane highway. During the landing, the airplane collided with the rear of a truck, separating the right wing. The airplane came to rest inverted in a ditch about 250 ft from the initial impact point.

The pilot reported that the entire flight was conducted on the left main fuel tank. Given the expected fuel consumption and distance traveled before the loss of power, the accident is consistent with the pilot's fuel mismanagement, which resulted in the engine being starved of available fuel.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA216 for the full record.