Incident Overview
A pilot departed Chandler, Arizona, with fuel gauges indicating more than 40 gallons in each tank. After a 1.2-hour flight to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, the gauges showed more than 20 gallons per tank. During the return trip at night, both engines lost power as the aircraft descended to enter the traffic pattern for landing. At that moment, the fuel gauges indicated 10 gallons remaining in each tank.
Emergency Maneuver
The pilot observed the lights of a car and attempted to align the aircraft with its tail lights to land on the road. During this maneuver, the airplane struck a powerline, then hit the top of a tree, and subsequently impacted on a lawn.
Investigation Findings
An investigation revealed no indication of fuel remaining in either tank.