LAX93LA320

The pilot reported that prior to departure from Delano he checked the fuel gauges to determine the amount of fuel on board the aircraft. The pilot said he did not visually examine the tank levels or use a dip stick to quantify the fuel level. The pilot then flew from Delano to Sacramento for a business meeting. While on the ground in Sacramento, the aircraft was not refueled. The pilot then flew back to Delano and was in the landing pattern when the engine quit while turning from down wind to base. The aircraft landed short of the runway in a field and nosed over in soft soil. After the accident, it was determined that another individual in the company had flown the aircraft the day before for about 1.5 hours and had not refueled the aircraft when it was parked. FAA inspectors examined the aircraft. Fuel system continuity was established throughout the aircraft, with no leaks or ruptures found. Both fuel tanks were empty.

On August 11, 1993, at 1449 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210N, N300GW, nosed over in soft soil during a forced landing attempt near the Delano, California, airport. The forced landing was precipitated by a total loss of power as the aircraft turned from down wind to base while in the landing pattern for runway 32. The aircraft was owned and operated by Pandol and Sons of Delano, California, and was on a cross country business flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; however, the remaining passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at the Sacramento Executive Airport, Sacramento, California, on the day of the mishap at about 1330 hours as the return portion of a round robin cross country flight from Delano to Sacramento.

In a verbal statement to FAA inspectors, the pilot reported that prior to departure from Delano he checked the fuel gauges to determine the amount of fuel on board the aircraft. The pilot said he did not visually examine the tank levels or use a dip stick to quantify the fuel level. The pilot then flew from Delano to Sacramento for a business meeting. While on the ground in Sacramento, the aircraft was not refueled. The pilot then flew back to Delano and was in the landing pattern when the engine quit while turning from down wind to base. The aircraft landed short of the runway in a field and nosed over in soft soil. After the accident, it was determined that another individual in the company had flown the aircraft the day before for about 1.5 hours and had not refueled the aircraft when it was parked.

FAA inspectors from the Fresno, California, Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft. Fuel system continuity was established throughout the aircraft, with no leaks or ruptures found. Both fuel tanks were empty.