NTSB Factual Report

On June 11, 2004, about 1720 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-38-112, N2579N, registered to the pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power, during a decent, near Jerome, Idaho. The pilot and passenger were uninjured and there was no fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and originated from the Jerome County airport, Jerome, Idaho at 1600 hours. There was no report of ELT activation.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had made several flights on the day of the accident without refueling the airplane. On this the final flight, the pilot estimated there to be 1.5 hours of fuel remaining and departed with the intention of flying for 30 minutes. The pilot further reported that he "lost track of time" and, when he noticed the fuel was low, elected to return to the airport. Approximately three miles south of the airport, fuel pressure was lost and the pilot switched the fuel selector to the left tank. The engine ran for about 20 seconds then stopped. The pilot then executed a forced landing in a potato field. During the roll out, the nose wheel dug into the soft dirt resulting in a nose over.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of power during descent for landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the soft terrain and the forced landing site.