Fuel exhaustion involving a Cessna 182A, VH-FMB, Winston Hills, 17 km north of Bankstown, New South Wales, on 14 June 1993

The pilot had flown from Bankstown to Baradine and return on many occasions in VH-FMB. Prior to departure from Bankstown on the day before the accident, the aircraft's fuel tanks were filled to the maximum capacity of 285 litres. On arrival at Baradine the pilot added 50 litres of motor spirit. The aircraft was parked on the apron at Baradine airport.

The following morning the pilot visually checked the fuel contents but did not use a dip stick. During a water drain check, 5-6 cups of water were taken from the under-fuselage drain point.

The return flight proceeded normally until the aircraft was about 20 kms north of Bankstown airport. The engine then began to run intermittently, followed by a complete loss of power. At this time the fuel gauges indicated that about 1/4 of the fuel capacity in each tank remained. The pilot declared an emergency and conducted a forced landing on cleared land near Winston Hills shopping centre. During the landing roll the nose gear leg was torn from its mounting.

The loss of engine power was determined to be the result of fuel exhaustion. The pilot had calculated the fuel tanks should have contained 100 litres at the time of the power loss. He concluded that about 100 litres of fuel was removed from the aircraft whilst it was parked at Baradine overnight. The aircraft fuel gauges were evidently over reading.