THE PLT REPORTED THAT AS HE ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION (CANYONLANDS, UT), THERE WAS A STORM OVER THE ARPT, SO HE DIVERTEDED TOWARD DELTA, CO. ABOUT 10 MI FROM DELTA, HE ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER STORM, SO HE TURNED TOWARD GRAND JUNCTION, CO. BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER DUE TO LACK OF FUEL. THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS 'JUST UNDER A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS' REMAINING. HOWEVER, THE ACFT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE AN ESTIMATED 3 HRS & 15 MIN & THE ENG CONSUMED ABOUT 14 GAL/HR. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR APRX 4 YRS & HAD RUST IN THE FUEL LINES & FILTER. HE BELIEVED THAT THE RUST CAUSED FUEL STARVATION & THAT FLUSHING THE FUEL SYS WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE POWER LOSS. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT HIT A DIKE AS THE PLT TRIED TO BOUNCE OVER IT. THE GEAR COLLAPSED & A FENCE & CORN FIELD WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD 46 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE TOOK OFF.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..DIRT BANK/RISING EMBANKMENT

Contributing Factors

OBJECT..FENCE

Contributing Factors

TERRAIN CONDITION..CROP

Contributing Factors

FUEL SYSTEM..CONTAMINATION

Contributing Factors

MAINTENANCE,INSPECTION..INADEQUATE

Contributing Factors

WEATHER CONDITION..CLOUDS

Contributing Factors

FLUID,FUEL..LOW LEVEL

Index for May1985 | Index of months