What happened
The aircraft experienced an in-flight engine failure that necessitated a forced landing. During the landing sequence, the nose of the aircraft collapsed, resulting in significant damage to the forward section of the airframe.
The investigation
Following the accident, personnel from a fixed-base operator (FBO) conducted a visual inspection of the wreckage. Their initial assessment noted that there was very little fuel remaining and no detectable fuel odor around the aircraft. To further investigate the cause of the engine failure, mechanics refueled the engine. Upon testing, the engine operated normally, indicating that the mechanical components were functional.
Findings
A subsequent examination revealed that all three fuel tanks were empty prior to the refueling test. The evidence suggests that the engine quit due to a lack of fuel supply rather than a mechanical malfunction. The empty state of the tanks confirms that fuel exhaustion was the primary factor leading to the loss of power and the subsequent forced landing.
Safety message
Pilots must ensure accurate pre-flight fuel planning and verify fuel quantities in all tanks before departure. Relying on visual inspection alone or assuming residual fuel is present can lead to dangerous situations. Regular checks of fuel gauges and physical verification of tank contents are essential practices to prevent fuel exhaustion.