DES MOINES, IA, USA
N44710
PIPER PA-28-151
THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED AFTER A PREVIOUS FLIGHT OF ABOUT ONE HOUR. THE PILOT VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL AND ESTIMATED 41 GALLONS REMAINING. HE BELIEVED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 5.2 HOURS OF FUEL. DURING AN IFR FLIGHT, HE DIVERTED FOR AN ENROUTE FUEL STOP WITH WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT FUEL. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE STOPPED OPERATING ABOUT 4.5 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT MAKE A FORCED LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AFTER ABOUT 4.3 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE WINGS HIT METAL REFLECTORS AT THE END OF A BRIDGE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME IN THE PIPER PA-28, BUT HIS TIME IN A WARRIOR WAS MORE LIMITED.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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