Aeronca 7AC N84423 accident near Plant City, Florida

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight fuel planning.

NTSB analysis

About 5 to 10 minutes after takeoff, the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane collided with a fence and drainage pipe, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the engine and ignition system did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Examination of the fuel system revealed that the carburetor was absent of fuel and only a trace amount of fuel remained in the gascolator. A subsequent borescope examination of the fuel tank revealed that it was intact and that a small, immeasurable amount of fuel was in one corner of the tank, but the tank was otherwise empty. Based on the lack of mechanical anomalies and the absence of fuel in the intact fuel tank, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel exhaustion.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA329 for the full record.