What happened
The aircraft was operating in cruise flight at 13,000 feet mean sea level during a cross-country journey when both engines experienced a sudden loss of power. At the time of the incident, the pilot had been drawing fuel from the main tanks for approximately ten minutes, having previously utilized the auxiliary tanks for about one hour. Following the initial power loss, which occurred shortly after encountering light icing conditions, air traffic control at Albuquerque Center offered vectors to Globe Airport. The pilot elected to continue the flight toward Phoenix rather than divert.
The pilot managed to restart both engines using fuel from the auxiliary tanks and continued flying until those tanks were completely depleted. After switching back to the main tanks, power was lost again after three minutes of operation. With no further options available, the pilot executed an off-airport landing on a sandbar. The pilot reported being not injured following the incident.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the engine and fuel system components was conducted to determine the mechanical cause of the power loss. The inspection failed to reveal any mechanical defects or anomalies that would explain the loss of power. The sequence of events, specifically the depletion of the auxiliary tanks followed by a brief period on the main tanks before the second failure, strongly indicated that the aircraft had run out of usable fuel.
Findings
The investigation highlighted several critical factors contributing to the accident. The primary issue was fuel exhaustion, resulting from the pilot's management of the fuel supply across different tank configurations. The decision to continue toward Phoenix after the first power loss, despite the indication of fuel issues, led to the eventual depletion of all available fuel sources. The failure to recognize the imminent risk of fuel starvation before the second power loss resulted in the forced landing on the sandbar.
Safety message
Pilots must maintain strict awareness of fuel quantity and consumption rates, particularly when switching between fuel tanks. It is essential to verify fuel flow and pressure indicators immediately after any tank change to ensure adequate supply. Continuing flight after an initial indication of fuel starvation significantly increases the risk of a forced landing.