NTSB Factual Report

On September 10, 2005, at 1215 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140, N8153N, registered to Lower Latitude Air LLC and operated by AMS Aviation, collided with the ground about four miles north of the Andalusia-Opp Airport in Andalusia/Opp, Alabama. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and a flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot received no injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Anniston Metropolitan Airport in Anniston, Alabama, at 1100 on September 10, 2005.

The pilot visually checked the fuel levels of the airplane before departing on the cross country flight. About an hour into the flight and at an altitude of 4,500 the engine began to run rough. At this time, the pilot applied full mixture, switched the fuel selector to the right tank, and the engine recovered. The pilot alerted Cairns Approach Control of the engine problem and of the his intentions to divert to Andalusia. Minutes later the engine loss power again, however the pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and the pilot elected to force land in a plowed field. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with a furrow in the plowed field. Post-accident examination revealed the nose gear detached and the firewall bent aft. Fuel was not present in either fuel tank and the carburetor contained no fuel. The fuel tanks had not been breached.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate planning of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.