Incident Overview
During a cruise at 8,000 feet MSL on an IFR flight plan, the airplane lost power on one engine. An emergency was declared, and radar vectors were provided to an airport. The pilot initiated a visual approach, but on final approach, the remaining engine lost power, and the airplane landed short of the runway, sustaining substantial damage.
Preflight and Fuel Management
The pilot reported that during preflight, he did not visually verify the fuel load by removing the fuel caps and looking into the tanks due to standing water in the fuel caps and moderate rainfall near freezing temperatures. He indicated he did not want to contaminate the fuel. During taxi for takeoff, the fuel gauges indicated 1/2 full. The pilot expected to return with just over an hour of fuel on board for a 45-minute flight.
Sequence of Events
Twenty minutes into the flight, the fuel gauges began showing empty. Approximately 30 miles west of GLY, the right engine quit. The pilot secured the engine, declared an emergency, and requested radar vectors to GLY. The pilot found a hole in the clouds and descended through it. While getting established on a short final, the left engine quit, and the aircraft settled short of the runway.
Post-Inspection
Inspection of the airplane revealed no fuel in the tanks and neither propeller was found in the feathered position.