Fuel exhaustion in an small aircraft.

Attributes
ACN	244032
Time
Date	199306
Day	Sat
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : mob
State Reference	AL
Altitude	msl bound lower : 3500 msl bound upper : 3500
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : mob tower : den
Operator	general aviation : instructional
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, High Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
Flight Phase	cruise other landing other other
Route In Use	enroute : direct
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 45 flight time total : 87 flight time type : 3
ASRS Report	244032
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical non adherence : far other anomaly other other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Flying a cross country flight of 383 NM, I used the operating handbook with its performance specifications to calculate the trip. At 2500 FPM it would consume 7.8 gph at an altitude of 2500 ft, and a speed of 112 KTS. This gives an endurance of 4.9 hours. At 112 KTS with 42 gallons, 38 usable, a distance of 383 NM will take 3.42 hours and have 1.48 hours in reserve. Apparently this is optimistic figures. On the return trip the plane was actually burning 10.5 gph.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: FUEL EXHAUSTION IN AN SMA.

Narrative: FLYING A XCOUNTRY FLT OF 383 NM, I USED THE OPERATING HANDBOOK WITH ITS PERFORMANCE SPECS TO CALCULATE THE TRIP. AT 2500 FPM IT WOULD CONSUME 7.8 GPH AT AN ALT OF 2500 FT, AND A SPD OF 112 KTS. THIS GIVES AN ENDURANCE OF 4.9 HRS. AT 112 KTS WITH 42 GALLONS, 38 USABLE, A DISTANCE OF 383 NM WILL TAKE 3.42 HRS AND HAVE 1.48 HRS IN RESERVE. APPARENTLY THIS IS OPTIMISTIC FIGURES. ON THE RETURN TRIP THE PLANE WAS ACTUALLY BURNING 10.5 GPH.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.