Piper PA-28-180 N9758J accident near Linneus, Maine

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight and in-flight monitoring of the fuel quantity, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB analysis

According to the pilot, he completed a preflight inspection but did not visually check the fuel quantity. Instead, he assumed the fuel was “at the tabs.” While completing the cockpit checklist he noted that the fuel gauges indicated about three-quarters full, but he did not check them again during the flight. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to 9,500 ft mean sea level to avoid reported turbulence below 5,000 ft. During the flight, he switched between the fuel tanks when prompted by his yoke-mounted GPS. He reported that personal matters and cellphone use distracted him. When the fuel in the right tank was depleted, he turned toward the nearest airport. The fuel in the left tank was then depleted, the engine lost power, and the pilot began an emergency descent. During the descent, the pilot identified a logging road for a forced landing. He was initially too high and made a left circling turn to line up with the road. The airplane struck trees and came to rest next to the road. The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA273 for the full record.