Pilot Account
The pilot reported being at 12,500 feet, preparing for a four-mile parachute jump run, when initial indications of a power or fuel problem appeared. He instructed the skydivers to exit and initiated a descending spiral to land. During the descent, fuel flow became erratic, and both engines ceased operating at 3,000 feet. The pilot stated he did not account for the northwest wind, and the aircraft crashed short of the runway.
Postcrash Examination
An FAA inspector conducted a postcrash examination of the airplane. No usable fuel was found in the tanks, and there were no indications of fuel presence at the accident site. Detailed examinations of the fuel systems and both engines revealed residual fuel remained, and no pre-accident malfunctions or mechanical failures were found.