Narrative
Shortly after leveling off at 14,000 feet, the left engine ceased operation. The pilot declared a diversion to Tampa. Approximately 34 minutes later, while still en route, the right engine also failed. During the subsequent forced landing, the aircraft struck the roof of a covered sidewalk and then impacted trees.
Pilot Actions and Fuel Crossfeed
The pilot reported that after losing the left engine, he initiated a crossfeed procedure, transferring fuel from the left tank to the right engine. Approximately 20 minutes of single-engine flight in this configuration elapsed before the right engine quit. The aircraft's flight manual states that in the event of one engine failure, the pilot should land as soon as possible. It further warns that when operating on one engine with fuel crossfeed, absolutely coordinated flight is required to prevent the fuel pickup tube in the tank from becoming unported when the tank is not full.
Maintenance Findings
Teardown examination of the left engine revealed that the seal between the exhaust flange and turbocharger had not been installed. Additionally, the bolt clamp was found to be only finger-tight. The resulting heat had melted the insulation of the wiring harness and the magneto grounding leads. Both 'P' leads were found to be grounded.