CHI95LA332

The pilot reported that he 'ran out of fuel,' approximately six miles from his destination airport. He 'turned the airplane into the wind' and attempted a forced landing in a plowed field. The pilot said that he had taken off knowing that he was 'probably stretching his fuel to reach his planned destination.' The pilot did not refuel the airplane prior to takeoff. Examination of the wreckage showed evidence indicative of a hard flat impact. There was no evidence of fuel at the accident site. Examination of the fuel system showed no evidence of fuel prior to impact.

On September 24, 1995, at 2019 eastern daylight time (edt), a Piper PA-24-250, N6725P, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing to a plowed field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. A flight plan was not on file. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight departed Rochester, New York, at 1745 edt, and was en route to Ludington, Michigan.

The pilot reported that he was approximately six miles from his destination airport at 2200 feet mean sea level when he "ran out of fuel." He turned on the fuel pump and switched tanks with no success. The pilot stated that he then "turned the airplane into the wind and looked for a place to put the airplane down." He selected a plowed field to do a forced landing in, but had to clear trees in front of him to reach it. The pilot stated that he was knocked unconscious at impact. In a subsequent telephone conversation with the pilot, he said that he had taken off knowing that he was "probably stretching his fuel to reach his planned destination," but felt that he could "get fuel somewhere en route."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage stated that the airplane "impacted in soft dirt and slid approximately 50 feet before coming to rest." The right main gear strut was found driven up through the right wing skin. The left main gear was bent outward and the nose gear was found separated from the rest of the airplane wreckage. The cowling and forward fuselage were bent underneath. Examination of the propeller showed one blade undamaged and the other blade bent aft. There were severe wrinkles observed throughout the skin of the airplane. The cabin was found intact, but the seats, control panel and luggage had been jarred loose. Examination of the flight controls showed no evidence of preimpact damage. There was no evidence of fuel at the accident site. Examination of the fuel system indicated no sign of fuel in the system prior to impact.