19980620028379A

(.4)The pilot received his pilot's license on may 11, 1998 and had accumulated 78 hours of flight experience. He recently purchased this complex airplane and had 7.3 hours of experience in it before the accident flight. He was conducting a cross-country flight and diverted south through new Mexico due to turbulence. The pilot stated that his initial time en route was 1.5 hours, however, investigation revealed that he had airborne for 2.5 hours and that the aircraft normally burns 10-14 gallons per hour. He said he lost engine power near Las Vegas, new Mexico, due to 'fuel exhaustion' and landed in soft vegetated terrain. The pilot reported that 'his fuel gauges indicated that he had fuel, so he continued to fly.' He latter reported that he had put 25 gallons of fuel on the airplane before the flight in which the accident occurred. (-23) on 06/20/98, approximately 1300 mountain daylight time, an aero commander model 112, N1188J, owned by Mr. Todd l. flannery, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing approximately 15 miles southeast of the Las Vegas, NM (lvs) airport. The pilot-in-command, and sole occupant of the aircraft, holds a private pilot certificate with airplane, single engine, land rating. The pilot received minor injuries when the aircraft struck a juniper tree during landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR part 91. The flight originated from cortez, CO, and was enroute to denver, CO. The pilot stated he diverted south across new Mexico to avoid turbulence he had encountered over the mountains. Personnel on the ground at the Las Vegas, NM airport reported hearing the pilot call that he had experienced engine failure and believed he had "run out of gas." Due to damage to the aircraft, the investigation by FAA personnel was unable to positively determine if the aircraft had suffered fuel exhaustion.