Incident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft encountered a critical in-flight emergency when the pilot experienced a total loss of power from the left engine and a partial loss of power from the right engine. The power loss was attributed to fuel starvation. Despite the urgency, the pilot successfully executed a safe landing on an airport while operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions.
Fuel System Findings
Subsequent examination revealed that the main fuel tanks, on which both engines were operating, were empty. However, an adequate fuel supply was present in the auxiliary tanks. The discovery indicates that fuel was available but not being drawn from the auxiliary tanks during flight.
Instrumentation Issues
Post-incident tests identified anomalies in the aircraft's fuel monitoring systems. Erroneous fuel flow indications were observed, and the fuel float sensors were found to be defective. These malfunctions likely prevented the pilot from accurately assessing the fuel state in the main tanks.
Landing and Aftermath
Despite the dual-engine power loss and compromised instrumentation, the pilot maintained control and executed a safe landing. No further details on injuries or damage were provided.
Investigation
The investigation focused on the fuel starvation event and the defective sensors. The empty main tanks, combined with adequate auxiliary fuel, highlight a potential fuel management issue. The erroneous indications and sensor defects are documented as contributing factors to the incident.