What happened
During an IFR cross-country flight, the pilot of the aircraft experienced a partial power loss to the right engine. The pilot reported that the issue could have been caused by fuel starvation. While performing a visual approach to an alternate airport, the aircraft impacted trees located short of the runway.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the landing gear and flaps were extended at the time of impact. Investigators found the right auxiliary fuel pump switch in the HI position, the right fuel selector in the OFF position, and the left fuel selector in the X-FEED position. Additionally, the right propeller had not been feathered.
The pilot reported a failure involving the mechanical fuel pump and/or aneroid on the right engine. While testing confirmed that the right auxiliary fuel pump was capable of pumping fluid, damage to the engine-driven mechanical pump prevented further testing of that component.
According to the engine-driven fuel pump failure checklist, a lack of fuel flow indication while the auxiliary pump is in the HI position can be an indicator of fuel exhaustion. Furthermore, the single-engine landing checklist requires the extension of landing gear and flaps when the pilot is certain of reaching the airport, and also mandates feathering the propeller of the inoperative engine.