Piper PA-18 N7590K accident near Colusa, California

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate fuel planning and in-flight decision making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the amphibious float equipped airplane reported that he was on a cross-country return flight to his home airport. During the descent to the planned fuel-stop airport, he encountered stronger headwinds than usual. The pilot closely monitored the fuel sight gauges because he recognized that the remaining fuel would be marginal for reaching his intended destination. While on a straight-in approach, positioned about 2 miles from the airport, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot raised the airplane’s nose to improve glide performance and engine power briefly returned; however, the engine subsequently lost total power a second time. The pilot retracted the landing gear and conducted a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence and came to rest nose-down in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to both wings.

The pilot reported that the engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion and that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR26LA268 for the full record.