LAX94LA300

The pilot failed to visually inspect the fuel level before departing on the accident flight. During the flight, the left fuel gauge fluctuated between full and empty with the right fuel gauge indicating 1/4 full. The engine lost power due to fuel exhaustion while on final approach. During the forced landing the airplane collided with a tree and came to rest on a highway 300 feet short of the runway. Post crash examination found little or no fuel remaining in the intact fuel system.

On July 27, 1994, at 1442 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 180H, N180BK, collided with a tree during an emergency landing at J. C. Harris Field, Elko, Nevada. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules business flight to Elko. The airplane, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated at Currant Ranch Airport, Currant, Nevada, at 1345 hours.

In his written statement, the pilot reported the airplane's engine lost power while turning onto final approach. During the emergency descent, the airplane struck a tree and came to rest on a highway 300 feet from the approach end of runway 23.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigator conducted the on-scene investigation. He reported that the retriever observed little or no fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks. During the retrieval process the retriever obtained a pint of fuel from the airplane's gascolator at the firewall. The retriever also said that the airplane's fuel system was not compromised during the impact sequence and there was no evidence of any fuel spillage.

The pilot told the inspector that he did not visually check the airplane fuel level before departing Currant airport.

The passenger said in a written statement that the fuel gauges were erratic during the accident flight. The left fuel gauge continuously fluctuated between empty and full with a 1/4 tank indication on the right gauge.