Accident Narrative
During a daytime cross-country flight conducted in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), the pilot reported a loss of left engine power. Subsequently, he reported that he was unable to maintain altitude. The controller provided a vector to the nearest airport. The pilot descended the airplane, reported that he was in visual meteorological conditions, and stated that the airport was in sight. No further transmissions were received from the pilot.
Aircraft Examination
Initial ground scar measurements at the accident site were consistent with the length of the right wing, the right engine cowling, and the nose of the airplane. The right wing leading edge and the nose were crushed aft, upward, and to the right. Examination of the airplane confirmed that the auxiliary fuel tanks were unusable; a maintenance entry stated that the aux fuel cells had been disconnected, capped, and plugged, and the fuel console was placarded "AUX FUEL NOT AVAILABLE." The main fuel tank capacity was 72 gallons total. The integrity of the fuel system was not compromised, continuity was confirmed from the main fuel tanks to the respective engines, and no discrepancies were found that would have precluded operation of the system prior to the accident. An estimated 2 ounces of blue-colored fuel was found in the left main fuel sump, and five and one-half quarts of blue-colored fuel were drained from the right main fuel tank.
By rotating the crankshaft manually, continuity was confirmed from the crankshaft flange to the rear accessory case gears, and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders on both engines. Both left propeller blades were found against the stop locks (non-feather position), and the blades exhibited no physical evidence of rotation. A test run was conducted for the left engine, and no discrepancies were found that would indicate the engine was incapable of producing power prior to the impact.
Pilot Information
The pilot had logged a total of 24 hours in actual IMC, of which 3.9 hours (0.8 hour in the make and model of the accident airplane) were during the 30 days prior to the accident.