What happened
Prior to departure, the pilot suspected a hydraulic issue after discovering fluid on the hangar floor. The aircraft was flown to a nearby airport for repairs before departing again. Approximately one hour into the flight, a heater problem occurred, which the pilot successfully corrected. The flight continued at 11,000 feet.
As the aircraft neared Mobile, the pilot requested a lower altitude and received approval from air traffic control to descend in stages. At 2,000 feet, the pilot reported that both engines had failed. Remedial actions were attempted, but power was not restored. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during a forced landing with the gear up.
The investigation
During wreckage recovery, 49 gallons of fuel were drained from the right fuel tank, while the left tank was found empty. A test propeller was installed, fuel was added to the system, and both engines were started. The engines performed without incident during this test, confirming that the mechanical systems were functional after refueling.
Findings
The investigation determined that the fuel exhaustion of the left tank led to the dual engine failure. The pilot's decision to continue the flight with an empty left tank contributed to the accident.