Incident Overview
An aircraft experienced a dual engine power loss due to fuel starvation during flight, leading to a collision with power lines during an attempted forced landing. The pilot had taken off with full fuel tanks and managed fuel consumption in a sequence that resulted in one engine losing power first, followed by the other.
Sequence of Events
The pilot initially used fuel from the main tanks until they were approximately half full. He then switched to the tip tanks and consumed fuel from them until they were empty. Based on a previous flight, the pilot knew the left tip tank would empty approximately eight minutes before the right tip tank.
When the left tip tank emptied, the aircraft was at about 5,000 feet above ground level. At that moment, the left engine lost fuel pressure and power. The pilot switched the left fuel selector back to the left main tank, but engine power was not restored.
While attempting to restart the left engine, the aircraft entered a strong downdraft and rapidly lost altitude. The left propeller continued windmilling. The pilot elected to land on a road.
The pilot stated that he knew the right tip tank was due to run dry, and he switched the right fuel selector to the right main tank. However, the right engine quit at an altitude between 100 and 150 feet above ground level. A passenger reported that the right engine stopped five to ten minutes after the left engine.
The pilot then tried to land in a field, but the aircraft hit power lines and crashed.
Investigation Findings
No preimpact or mechanical failure was found. Reportedly, considerably more time is required to start an engine if it stops from fuel starvation.