ATL83LA143

Factual narrative

DURING FLT, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED STRONG HEADWINDS & DECIDED TO DIVERT TO WAYCROSS, GA. WHILE USING FUEL FROM THE RIGHT TANK, THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE PLT STATED THAT THIS SURPRISED HIM SINCE THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY INSIDE THE RED ARC. HE SWITCHED TO THE LEFT TANK, RESTARTED THE ENGINE & CONTINUED TOWARD THE ARPT WHICH WAS IN SIGHT. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN WHEN THE LEFT TANK BECAME EMPTY. REPORTEDLY, THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE WAS ALSO ONLY SLIGHTLY IN THE RED ARC WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RWY, THE PLT TURNED TO LAND IN A FIELD. HE REPORTED THAT A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED WHILE HE WAS CROSSING OVER TELEPHONE LINES IN A RIGHT BANK TO ALIGN WITH THE FIELD. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT IMPACTED WHILE STILL IN A RIGHT BANK. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12