Fuel exhaustion Accident Cessna 177 N30214, Sunday 24 July 2011

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Date:	Sunday 24 July 2011
Time:	18:00 LT
Type:	Cessna 177
Owner/operator:
Registration:	N30214
MSN:	17701125
Year of manufacture:	1968
Total airframe hrs:	3222 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-360-A1A
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Americus, Georgia - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Training
Departure airport:	Americus-Souther Field Airport, GA (KACJ)
Destination airport:	Americus-Souther Field Airport, GA (KACJ)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), he and the pilot departed the airport for a local, personal flight. While returning to the airport, the engine surged and then lost power. The CFI assumed control of the airplane and selected a suitable landing area for a forced landing. During the landing, after clearing a 50-foot-tall tree line, the right wing and nose wheel impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wing spar and firewall. A postaccident examination revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. The CFI reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane and that he did not perform a preflight of the airplane prior to the flight nor did he check the fuel level.

Probable Cause: The CFI and pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Accident investigation: