DEN99LA065

While inbound to land at Wendover Airport, the pilot was advised that the airport was temporarily closed due to equipment on the runway. The pilot observed that the fuel tank was indicating 6 to 8 gallons remaining. He circled the airport for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, at which time the fuel gauge indicated zero. He advised the airport that he needed to land immediately, and they agreed to remove the equipment. While turning onto final approach for landing, the engine quit and the aircraft landed hard short of the runway. Several engine examinations were performed following the accident. During one exam, 3 gallons of fuel was added to the fuel tank and no leaks were observed. The fuel tank was also filled with water and again no leaks were found. In a third exam, the fuel tank was filled with 4 gallons of fuel. The engine was test run and no discrepancies were observed. According to FAA records, the pilot had two previous mishaps involving improper fuel management.

On April 26, 1999, at 1515 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N906DS, owned by Thiel Air Care, Inc., of Chowchille, California, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during approach to landing at Wendover Airport, Wendover, Utah. The commercial pilot, sole occupant aboard, received minor injuries. The aircraft was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the ferry flight which originated from Brigham City, Utah, at 1340.

While inbound to land at Wendover, the pilot contacted the airport on the UNICOM frequency and was advised that the airport was temporarily closed due to construction equipment on the runway. At that time, the pilot observed that the fuel tank was indicating 6 to 8 gallons remaining, and thought that the gauge was erroneous. He circled the airport for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The fuel gauge then indicated zero, and the pilot advised airport personnel that he needed to land immediately. They agreed to remove equipment from the runway to enable him to land. While turning onto final approach for runway 12, the engine quit and the aircraft landed short of the runway. The aircraft landed hard, traveled approximately 100 feet, and spun 180 degrees. The airplane sustained damage to the horizontal stabilizer, propeller, and landing gear.

On April 28, 1999, two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors performed an examination of the engine. According to them, "No obvious fuel system failure was found, there were no fuel stains, loose fuel cap, ruptured hoses or loose fittings or clamps observed." They added 3 gallons of fuel to the fuel tank, a gravity feed system, and observed no leaks. The aircraft was recovered to the Spanish Fork Flying Service in Spanish Fork, Utah. At the request of an FAA inspector, the fuel tank was filled with water and allowed to sit dormant for several days. Again, no leaks were observed. The final exam was performed on May 11, 1999, in Spanish Fork by two FAA inspectors. The fuel tank was filled with 4 gallons. They checked the fuel indicator, and the gauge verified 4 gallons. They test ran the engine and no discrepancies were observed.

According to an engineering representative with the New Piper Aircraft, Inc., with full power, the aircraft can burn fuel at a rate of 22 gallons per hour. According to a fuel receipt, the pilot obtained 29.9 gallons of fuel in Brigham City to top off the 36 gallon fuel tank. According to the pilot, he flew 1 hour and 35 minutes from Brigham City to Wendover. The direct distance between the two airports is 102.1 nautical miles.

According to FAA records, the pilot had two previous mishaps involving improper fuel management. The first incident occurred on April 13, 1983, in N8073V, a Callair A-9. The pilot performed a forced landing after the engine quit, and the FAA determined that the pilot had failed to switch the fuel tanks. The second accident occurred on March 2, 1988, in N3557G, a Cessna A188. The pilot ran out of fuel while performing an aerial application.