What happened
While operating on an IFR flight plan at 8,000 feet MSL, a Cessna (type not specified in source) experienced an engine failure. The aircraft was in cruise flight when one engine lost power. An emergency was declared, and the pilot received radar vectors toward GLY.
During the approach, the pilot transitioned to a visual approach. However, while on final approach, the remaining engine also failed. This resulted in the aircraft settling into a field approximately 50 and feet short of the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the forced landing.
According to the pilot, fuel gauges indicated the tanks were half full during taxi for takeoff. Approximately 20 minutes into the flight, the gauges began dropping toward empty. About 30 miles west of GLY, the right engine quit, prompting the pilot to secure the engine and declare an emergency. After descending through a break in the clouds, the left engine failed while the pilot was establishing on short final.
The investigation
An inspection of the aircraft revealed that there was no fuel remaining in the tanks. Additionally, investigators found that neither propeller was in the feathered position following the failures.