Incident Overview
A twin-engine airplane operating under Part 135 was on a routine night flight, approximately 17 miles from its destination, when one engine began to surge and subsequently lost power. The pilot declared an emergency and reported that fuel was running low.
ATC Assistance and Approach
Air traffic control vectored the aircraft toward the nearest airport. Upon arrival, the pilot found that the airport's beacon was not illuminated, and he was unable to visually acquire the field until already low overhead.
Second Engine Failure and Forced Landing
Before landing could be attempted, the second engine also surged and lost power. The pilot then executed a forced landing off the airport, impacting heavy underbrush and rough terrain.
Post-Accident Fuel Examination
An inspection of the fuel system revealed 23 gallons in the right wing tank, 3 gallons in the fuselage tank, and zero fuel in the left tank. The pilot later stated that after the accident, he realized he had decided not to cross-feed fuel because he believed the fuselage tank contained sufficient fuel for the remaining flight.
Key Points
- The flight was conducted under Part 135 at night.
- Fuel distribution was uneven across the tanks.
- The pilot misjudged the fuel quantity in the fuselage tank.