Pilot States He Ran Out Of Fuel

A 1975 Cessna 172 ran out of gas, and landed a few feet short of the runway at California's Stockton Metropolitan Airport Thursday afternoon, according to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor.

The single-engine airplane landed on the wrong side of the blast fence, and short of runway on its final approach around 1200 local time. The pilot, identified as a 69-year -old man, reported he was out of fuel before crashing just short of the runway in a grassy area about 50 to 60 feet away from State Route 99, Gregor said.

The plane sustained considerable damage, but the pilot was able to walk away. Emergency crews responded immediately, and provided first aid to the downed pilot, transporting him to a local hospital with cuts and bruises. Airport officials said he also complained of some back pain.

Stockton Airport Director Barry Rondinella told the Tri-Valley Herald there are 80,000 take-offs and landings at Stockton Metro every year... and there is going to be a small percentage where something goes wrong. He also commended emergency crews for their timely and thorough response.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 9685Q        Make/Model: C172      Description: 172, P172, R172, Skyhawk, Hawk XP, Cutla
  Date: 04/12/2007     Time: 1901

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: Minor     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
  City: STOCKTON   State: CA   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY DUE TO A FUEL PROBLEM, STOCKTON, CA

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   1     Unk:   
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   

WEATHER: NOT REPORTED

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Pleasure      Phase: Landing      Operation: OTHER

  Departed: EL MONTE, CA                Dep Date:    Dep. Time:     
  Destination: STOCKTON, CA             Flt Plan:              Wx Briefing: 
  Last Radio Cont: 
  Last Clearance: 

  FAA FSDO: OAKLAND, CA  (WP27)                   Entry date: 04/13/2007

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov