NTSB Factual Report

On November 8, 2001, about 1848 eastern standard time, a Cessna 177, N177X, registered to Cardinal N S X, Inc., collided with trees while making a forced landing following loss of engine power near Gainesville, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and private-rated second pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Fayetteville, North Carolina, the same day, about 1457.

The pilot stated that the second pilot was flying the airplane from the left seat. Prior to departure from Fayetteville, North Carolina, they had the airplane fueled to the holes in the bottom of the filler collars, which should have given them about 42 gallons of fuel. They did not completely fill the fuel tanks. While approaching to land at their destination, Gainesville, Florida, they elected to fly the instrument landing system approach to give the second pilot practice. The engine lost power about 3 miles from the runway. They turned on the electric fuel boost pump and the engine regained power momentarily. The engine then sputtered and quit. While making a forced landing, the airplane collided with trees.

Postcrash examination of the airplane and crash site by an FAA Inspector, Fire Department personnel, and Sheriff's Department personnel showed the airplane contained no usable fuel and that there was no evidence of fuel leakage from the airplane at the crash site or from the airplane in flight. (See FAA Inspector Statement).

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of both pilots to insure the airplane contained adequate fuel to complete the flight resulting in loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and collision with trees during a forced landing.