NTSB Factual Report

On February 21, 2002, at 1300 central standard time, a North American T28C, N71546, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Fredericksburg, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from Caldwell, Texas, at 1220.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that the airplane was topped with 155 gallons of fuel at Levelland, Texas. Subsequently, the airplane was flown cross-country for 1 hour 25 minutes to the destination of Caldwell, Texas. The airplane was not fueled at Caldwell, and the flight departed for Fredericksburg. During the descent to the Fredericksburg Gillespie County Airport, the engine lost total power. The pilot landed the airplane, gear retracted, in a rough field approximately 4 nautical miles east of the destination airport. Substantial damage occurred to the firewall, cowling, and fuselage. The engine and propeller were damaged.

The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, found the airplane resting upright with structural damage to the firewall and the lower fuselage. The FAA inspector drained approximately 12 ounces of fuel from the airplane. The integrity of the fuel system was not compromised.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the pilot to refuel the airplane resulting in fuel exhaustion. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.