Probable cause
The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel exhaustion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he contacted air traffic control (ATC) and told them that he had an emergency fuel situation. ATC diverted him to the closest airport. The pilot landed the airplane short of the runway, the landing gear collapsed, the airplane skidded across the runway threshold, and came to rest on the runway. The fuselage and left wing were substantially damaged.
A postaccident inspection revealed that both the left and right wing fuel tanks were empty. Neither fuel tank was compromised. The pilot stated that he recently purchased the airplane and he was surprised that it burned more fuel than he anticipated. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA073 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 13, 2025
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Stroud, Oklahoma
- Nearest airport
- Stroud Municipal Airport (SUD)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Rockwell International 114
- N-number
- N5879N
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1978
- 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.