Cessna 172G N5880R accident near Anacortes, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that during his preflight inspection he checked the fuel level with a dipstick and visually confirmed that there was a little less than 1/4 tank of fuel in the left side, and a little more than 1/4 in the right. The pilot then flew around the local area for about 40 minutes and was on his way back to the airport when the engine lost power. The local sheriff reported that when he arrived on scene, the airplane was on the ground inverted and appeared to have contacted some power lines prior to impacting the terrain. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the fuel system and found no evidence of fuel on board the airplane.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA182 for the full record.