Probable cause
A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he departed with 19 gallons of fuel onboard, and about 3 hours and 41 minutes into the cross-country flight, the engine “quit.” The pilot performed a forced landing in a soybean field, during which the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder, empennage, and canopy bulkhead.
Examination revealed no evidence of fuel in the fuel tank, which was intact. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine. Based on the available information, it is likely that the total loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19LA243 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 25, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Viroqua, Wisconsin
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Culver LCA
- N-number
- N29272
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1940
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.