20070805016829A

(-23) Sequence: the pilot in command (PIC) stated that N9ET departed calexico airport (kcxl) at approximately 1900 PST with the destination of north las vegas, NV (kvgt). Prior to leaving kcxl, the PIC estimated his fuel based on the fuel quantities indicated by the aircraft fuel gauges. N9ET experienced an engine failure in the vicinity of the Jean, NV airport (0L7). The PIC attempted an emergency landing at 0L7 but was unable to land at the airport. N9ET was found located in a field .38 miles northeast of the threshold bar and in-line with runway 22R of the Jean, NV airport at approximately 2100 PST. The aircraft went under a set of powerlines and crossed over a ditch approximately 15 feet wide and 6 feet deep. The initial point of contact was at the crest of the ditch and continued approximately 65 yards to where the aircraft came to rest. Two distinct grooves in the dirt were noted at the beginning of the ground scarring which appeared to match the width of the landing gear doors. A third and centerline of ground scarring was noted as starting approximately 12 yards from the initial point of contact. Approximately 15 yards into the ground scarring evidence of propeller strikes in the ground were noted. The aircraft came to rest heading 250 degrees. The propeller was in a horizontal position with both blades bent back. Ground scarring of the propeller blades was confined primarily to the faces of the blades suggesting there was no power on the engine at the time of impact. Scuffing damage and a large smooth dent was noted to the right wing lower outboard leading edge. The main landing gear was in the retracted position but was extended out of the wheel wells approximately 6 inches. Damage: N9ET was found damaged in the following areas: scuffing damage the belly skins of the aircraft was noted as running from the nose of the aircraft to just aft of the wing flaps. Three puncture holes were found in the skin of the belly, two holes were outboard of the left keel and one located at the left radius of the lower fuselage (approximate fuselage stations 75, 112 and 115). The belly skin of the aircraft was pushed up into the fuselage just outboard of the left keel (approximate fuselage station 75 to 115). The left lower radius of the fuselage between approximate fuselage stations 75 to 115 was buckled inward and oil canned. The left wing inner web, in the main landing gear bay, was torn in the area of the forward inboard main gear door attachment point and noted as being buckled above the aft inboard main gear door mounting point. The pitot tube, located mid span on the left wing was torn from its outer attachment area. The aircraft skin of lower nose section exhibited buckling and oil canning around the left and right keel sections. The left engine exhaust Piper was crushed where it exited the cowling flap. The interior of the nose landing gear wheel well exhibited buckling on the left sidewall just forward of the nose landing gear drag brace. The interior of the nose landing gear wheel well exhibited buckling on the right side wall inline with the engine firewall. Both blades of the propeller were bent backwards with scuffing damage noted primarily to the faces of the blades. The inboard right landing gear door was torn away from its forward attach point and was hanging from the rear attach point. Scuffing damage and a large smooth dent was noted to the right wing lower outboard leading edge. Controls: the flaps were found retracted and all primary flight controls moved freely. In the cockpit, the following positions and indications were noted: throttle-closed, props-low pitch, mixture-off, fuel selector-right tank, flap handle-up (retracted), compass-250 degrees, magnetos-off. Injuries: no injuries were sustained by the pilot or the 2 passengers on board. Findings: there was no post crash fire. Las vegas metropolitan police report substantiates that no fuel was found in either fuel tank by emergency response personnel immediately after the accident. A temporary registration certificate is found assocated with N9ET. The physical evidence, together with pilot and witness statements, leads to fuel starvation as the cause of the accident.