EL PASO, TX, USA
N427C
Stinson 108-2
The pilot reported that at takeoff, he had 50 gallons of fuel on board. According to his calculations, the 50 gallons would allow a 4.6 hour flight, and his flight was planned to take 4.1 hours. The pilot reported that en route, he encountered wind which caused the estimated time of flight to extend to 4.7 hours. The airplane ran out of fuel approximately 8 miles from the destination airport. The pilot landed on a dirt road. Approximately 300 feet from the touchdown point, the road dropped slightly, and the airplane bounced. The airplane struck a small tree before coming to rest on its nose.
On May 06, 1996, at 1100 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-2, N427C, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near El Paso, Texas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that originated in Abilene, Texas, at 0620. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The pilot reported that at takeoff, he had 50 gallons of fuel on board. According to his calculations, the 50 gallons would allow a 4.6 hour flight, and his flight was planned to take 4.1 hours. The pilot reported that en route, he encountered wind which caused the estimated time of flight to extend to 4.7 hours. The airplane ran out of fuel approximately 8 miles from the destination airport. The pilot landed on a dirt road. Approximately 300 feet from the touchdown point, the road dropped slightly, and the airplane bounced. The airplane struck a small tree before coming to rest on its nose. The airplane sustained structural damage at the left gear attachment point.
the pilot's improper inflight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the unfavorable en route wind.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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