Aeronca 11AC N86326 accident near Longmont, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot’s improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that there was a total loss of engine power while 1,200 feet above ground level and about 6 nautical miles short of his destination. He performed an off-airport landing, in a pasture, with cows at the far end. During short final, the pilot had to maneuver to avoid rough terrain and a fence and then flared the airplane too high and yawed to one side which resulted in a hard landing. The tailwheel collapsed and there was substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He stated that a miscalculation of fuel quantity and fuel burn led to the fuel exhaustion.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA403 for the full record.