NYC01LA036

The pilot flew for 2 hours and arrived after the airport had closed. Unable to obtain fuel, and with no ground transportation available, he elected to spent the night in the airplane. He departed at 0430 the following morning, and did not obtain a pre-departure or en route weather briefing. Low clouds covered his planned destination airport. He diverted to two other nearby airports, which were also covered by low clouds, and then returned to his destination airport, which was still covered by clouds. He contacted approach control, reported that he was low on fuel, and requested vectors to a nearby VFR airport. He was vectored toward an airport; however, the engine lost power prior to reaching it. The airplane was landed in a field about 2 miles from the airport. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident it was hazy and he could see the runway. He further added that the clouds came in immediately after the accident. A FAA inspector reported the fuel tanks were empty, and there was no evidence of fuel leakage or siphoning. The pilot estimated the airplane had been flown about 5 1/2 hours since the last refueling.

On November 13, 2000, about 0750 Eastern Standard Time, a Cessna 172L, N2843Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near the Winchester Regional Airport, Winchester, Virginia. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, the fight originated at Bangor, Maine, on November 12. He reported that he checked the weather with flight service prior to departure. The pilot's first stop was Oxford, Connecticut, where the airplane was refueled. While on the ground at Oxford, he again rechecked the weather. The pilot then departed for Reading, Pennsylvania. He arrived in the area and could not land due to low clouds. He diverted to Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and landed after 2 hours of flight, after dark. The airport facilities were closed. In addition, due to the lack of ground transportation, the pilot elected to spend the night in the airplane.

The pilot did not obtain a pre-flight weather briefing prior to departing Doylestown at 0430, for Front Royal, Virginia. In addition, he did obtain an en route weather briefing after departure. At Front Royal, he encountered low clouds, was unable to land, and proceeded to his planned alternate of Luray Caverns, Virginia. Again, he encountered low clouds and proceeded toward New Market, Virginia, where low clouds were also present.

The pilot then returned to the Front Royal area where he established radio contact with Dulles Approach Control. He reported he was low on fuel and requested vectors to the nearest VFR Airport. He was vectored toward Winchester. When the airplane was about 2 miles from the airport, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a glide with an airspeed of 80 miles per hours, and upon touchdown, the airplane nosed over.

The pilot reported there was haze, but no clouds in the area when the power loss occurred, and he could see both the airport and ground below. However, the clouds were nearby and moved in immediately after the accident.

An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported the terrain was uneven or rough, and power lines were above the initial touchdown area. The airplane was found inverted, and pointed in the direction from which it arrived.

The FAA inspector further reported that examination of the airplane revealed that there was no evidence of fuel in the fuel tanks, or the carburetor. In addition, there was no evidence of a fuel spill on the ground, or smell of fuel at the accident site.

The airplane was equipped with two fuel tanks, of 21 gallons each. The total useable fuel was 38 gallons.

The pilot estimated the airplane had been flown about 5.5 hours since its last refueling.