N9758J accident

NTSB ERA26LA273 · 2026-07-15 · Linneus, ME · near 85B

Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he completed a preflight inspection but did not visually check the fuel quantity. Instead, he assumed the fuel was “at the tabs.” While completing the cockpit checklist he noted that the fuel gauges indicated about three-quarters full, but he did not check them again during the flight. After takeoff, the pilot climbed to 9,500 ft mean sea level to avoid reported turbulence below 5,000 ft. During the flight, he switched between the fuel tanks when prompted by his yoke-mounted GPS. He reported that personal matters and cellphone use distracted him. When the fuel in the right tank was depleted, he turned toward the nearest airport. The fuel in the left tank was then depleted, the engine lost power, and the pilot began an emergency descent. During the descent, the pilot identified a logging road for a forced landing. He was initially too high and made a left circling turn to line up with the road. The airplane struck trees and came to rest next to the road. The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage.

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight and in-flight monitoring of the fuel quantity, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.

Circumstances

Event type

Accident

Highest injury

Minor

Weather conditions

Visual Meteorological Cond

Light condition

Day

Ceiling (ft)

0

Visibility (sm)

10

Wind direction

280

Wind speed (kt)

9

Temperature (F)

79

Distance from field

0.0

Aircraft

Sequence of events

Findings