SEA96LA016

The pilot reported that he had planned a cross country flight, but decided to turn around and return to his departure point after one hour and forty minutes into the flight. The pilot stated that he did not land to refuel, as he felt he would still have one hour of reserve after landing. The pilot was approaching the airport when the engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open area and during the landing roll, the airplane collided with rough terrain. Post crash inspection revealed that the fuel tanks were empty of fuel. There was no fuel leak and the fuel tanks remained intact. No evidence was found to indicate a mechanical failure or malfunction.

On November 14, 1995, at 1300 mountain standard time, a Piper PA- 28-181, N4496F, experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to Antelope Island near Syracuse, Utah. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with rough terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the pleasure flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight had originated from Ogden Utah, on November 14, 1995, at 0930 and was destined for St. George, Utah.

The pilot reported that he intended to go to St. George, however, after one hour and forty minutes into the flight, and over Milford, Utah, he decided to turn around and return to Ogden. The pilot stated that he did not refuel, as he felt that he would still have one hour of fuel reserve after landing at Ogden. While en route back to Ogden and over Antelope Island, located approximately 14 miles southwest of the Ogden airport, the engine experienced a loss of power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open area. During the landing roll, the airplane collided with rough terrain.

A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Salt Lake City, Utah, Flight Standards District Office inspected the airplane and reported that there was no fuel present in the right fuel tank, and a small amount in the left fuel tank. There was no evidence of a fuel leak and the fuel tanks remained intact. When the airplane was recovered, the recovery team drained a cup- and-a-half of fuel from the left wing.

The airplane was taken to Spanish Fork, Utah, where the airplane was prepared for an engine run. Fuel was supplied to the engine and the engine started on the first attempt. The engine ran for several minutes at varying power settings with no abnormalities noted.

The airplane records indicate that the airplane had been fueled on November 14, 1995, and the fuel tanks were filled. The airplane hobbs meter indicates that the engine had operated for 4.0 hours before experiencing a loss of power.