Runway 33 Accident: Private Pilot and Five Passengers Involved in Fuel Exhaustion Incident (N621BD)

Incident Overview and Flight Details A private pilot was operating a round-trip cross-country flight carrying five passengers. According to the passengers, they had paid the pilot for the flight. The pilot stated that he took off with an estimated 64 gallons of fuel on board. Approximately two hours and twenty-five minutes after departure, the pilot reported that the aircraft was out of fuel and attempted an engine-out landing to Runway 33. The aircraft landed 400 feet short of the runway, struck a fence, sheared the nose gear, and nosed over. It came to rest inverted 40 yards short of the runway. Both wings, the cabin, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. Rescue personnel and law officers on the scene reported that the fuel tanks were empty and no fuel spill was found at the accident scene. The investigation found no fuel in the engine system and could find no evidence to explain any increased fuel usage.