19980313006799A

Reported power loss on climbout. Collided with tree and fence on forced landing. (.4) on March 13, 1998, at 0920, eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N54634, collided with a tree and a fence, according to the pilot, during an emergencylanding near Arcadia, Florida. The aerial survey flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91 with no flight plan filed. According to the pilot, visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The air transport rated pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Arcadia airport in Arcadia, Florida, at 0920. According to the pilot, on the day of the accident he arrived at the lakeland airpor and completed a preflight inspection of the airplane and prepared the airplane's, navigational system for the flight. Way points (eagle nests positions) were programmed into the navigational radios for the mission. The pilot said that, there were two full fuel indications on the gauges when he turned on the aircraft master switch. The pilot also stated that, he always made a visual check of the fuel in the tanks, but during this preflight inspection, he did not recall making a visual check of the fuel quantity in the fuel tanks. When the passenger arrived, the flight departed lakeland, Florida enroute to Arcadia, Florida, and to inspect eagles' nests for the Florida game and fish commision. After departing lakeland, the pilot flew to the southern way points enroute to Arcadia. At 0915, the flight departed Arcadia, enroute to additional way points. As the flight descended for an approach to another nest, the pilot reported that the engine lost power. Attempts by the pilot to restart the engine, failed. The pilot selected an emergency landing area. The airplane collided with an orange tree during the approach to land. According to the pilot, the forced landing area was rough and uneven. An examination of the airplane at the accident site disclosed that there was no fuel in either fuel tank. The wreckage examination also failed to disclose any obvious mechanical problems with the airplane. (-23) the pilot was approx. 2 min. Into his second flight of the day. He had flown 1 hour prior. While descending from 1,000 ft. to 600/700 ft. to view eagles nest, the engine sputtered and stopped. The pilot made an emergenc y landing in the corner of an open field coming to a stop in the edge of an orange grove after colliding with two orange trees. Examination of the airplane at the crash site revealed no fuel in either fuel tank. Post examination of the engine revealed no obvious failures. It is the opinion of the investigating inspector that the engine failed because of fuel exhaustion.