CHI94LA019

The pilot encountered stronger winds than he had expected during a cross-country flight. He was 20 minutes past his estimated time en route, when he was still 50 miles short of his intended destination. He stated the engine began to sputter and stopped, when both fuel gauges read zero. A forced landing was made on a rural road. The airplane struck a steel reinforced mail box during the landing roll.

On October 6, 1993, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-151, N8339C, sustained substantial damage when it struck a steel mail box during landing roll on a rural road near Allendale, Michigan, after a forced landing. The pilot reported a total loss of engine power. The private pilot and the three passengers aboard the airplane were not injured. The personal flight originated at Mackinac Island, Michigan, with an intended destination of Riverview Airport, Jenison, Michigan.

The pilot reported he encountered winds stronger than he had planned for, and the flight was longer than his estimated time en route. He stated he was still short of his destination when both fuel gauges read zero and the engine began to sputter. In the pilot/operator report he said the accident could have been prevented if he had located another airport for refueling earlier.