Accident Sequence
The airplane had been flown approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes since being refueled. A witness observed the aircraft on approach, noting it appeared slightly right of the centerline and about 200 feet above the trees. Suddenly, the descent rate increased and the airplane descended wings level into the trees.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination revealed no pre-impact damage to the engines. The propeller blades sustained only minimal scratching. The main and auxiliary fuel tanks had ruptured, and no evidence of fuel was found in the vicinity of these tanks. Approximately 11.5 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing locker fuel tank. The wing locker fuel transfer switch was found in the OFF position.
Fuel System Findings
The left engine fuel selector valve was positioned to the left auxiliary, while the right engine fuel selector valve was found in the left main position (though the valve itself was found in the right main position, with the push-pull rod bent at the point of impact damage on the wing). Fuel controls for both engines displayed no fuel, and the fuel screens were clean.