Incident Overview
A private pilot, who had previously completed only one night cross-country flight as the sole rated pilot in the airplane, experienced an in-flight emergency during the second leg of a night cross-country flight. The pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control and reported that the airplane was out of control in a flat spin.
Fuel System and Procedures
According to a report from another pilot who usually served as a crew member, the pilot would normally run the engines on the auxiliary fuel tanks during the cruise portion of the second leg until they were empty. Subsequently, the pilot would switch to the main fuel tanks and air start the engines. This procedure required the fuel boost pumps to be in the 'ON' position. However, at the accident site, the fuel boost pumps were found in the 'OFF' position.
Fuel Remaining
Examination of the fuel tanks revealed that the right main fuel tank had ruptured and contained only four gallons of fuel. The left main tank held twenty-seven gallons, while each auxiliary tank contained less than one pint of fuel. Notably, the pilot did not refuel prior to departing on the second leg of the night cross-country flight.
Environmental Conditions and Engine Testing
Witnesses located three miles from the accident site reported a dark night. Following the incident, engine test runs were performed on both engines throughout all power ranges, and no anomalies were found that would have contributed to the accident.
Summary
The pilot's emergency declaration and description of a flat spin, combined with the fuel state and boost pump position, highlight the circumstances surrounding the event. No additional factors were identified in the investigation.