On June 19, 1984, a Piper PA-30 (registration N7225Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Clewiston, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion due to inadequate preflight fuel planning or inspection, which resulted in both engines losing power. The pilot's decision to land long and fast contributed to the aircraft going off the end of the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot visually inspected fuel tanks before flight and noted gauges indicated one-quarter full. Both engines subsequently lost power from fuel exhaustion, leading to a high-speed landing that went off the end of the runway.
What happened
Prior to the flight, the pilot conducted a visual inspection of the main fuel tanks. The fuel gauges indicated that each side was one-quarter full. While en route to the destination, the aircraft experienced a loss of power in one engine. Shortly thereafter, the second engine also lost power. Both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion.
The pilot had sufficient altitude to reach the airport. However, the landing was executed long and fast. The aircraft went off the end of the runway upon touchdown.
The investigation
The investigation confirmed that both engines lost power from fuel exhaustion. The pilot stated that he visually checked the main tanks before the flight. The fuel gauges indicated one-quarter full on each side.
Findings
The primary factor was fuel exhaustion. The pilot had sufficient altitude to reach the airport. The landing was long and fast. The aircraft went off the end of the runway.
Probable cause
Fuel exhaustion due to inadequate preflight fuel planning or inspection, which resulted in both engines losing power. The pilot's decision to land long and fast contributed to the aircraft going off the end of the runway.