NYC96LA147

The airplane was en route about 700 feet above the ground when the engine lost power. The pilot turned toward a shopping mall parking lot, and during the descent the airplane struck a power line. The airplane impacted the ground in a nose-low attitude and the nose landing gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel tanks were empty with corresponding indication of the fuel gages. There was no evidence of fuel siphoning or leakage on the airplane. The pilot reported that he did not check the fuel quantity before the flight, but instead did an estimation of the amount. The pilot's medical certificate had expired and his flight review was past due. A police toxicologist indicated that the pilot had a blood alcohol level of 0.060%.

On July 12, 1996, about 0640 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N8059G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Rockaway, New Jersey. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight which originated at Bridgeport, Connecticut, about 0615, and was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. In an interview, the pilot reported that he was cruising about 1500 feet MSL, when the engine lost power. He set up for a forced landing on the south side of the Rockaway Mall parking lot, heading north. He saw a power line in front of him and maneuvered the airplane to strike the line between the poles. The line snapped, however, the speed of the airplane had been reduced and it struck the ground in a nose low attitude.

The airplane came to rest in the parking lot with the nose landing gear collapsed, and the firewall buckled. Examination of the airplane found the fuel tanks to be empty, and when battery power was turned on, the fuel gages read empty. Additionally, there was no evidence of fuel stains or siphoning from either fuel tank, or of fuel leakage anywhere on the airplane.

When asked if he had checked the fuel quantity prior to departure, the pilot reported that he had estimated the fuel on board.

During the interview, the smell of alcohol was noticeable on the pilot's breath. A toxicological examination conducted by the State of New Jersey found an alcohol reading of 0.070 d/gl which translated into a BAC of 0.060 percent.