Flight and Fuel Selector Change
After a 30-minute flight and approximately 5 minutes before landing, the pilot moved the fuel selectors to the "AUXILIARY" position. During the turn from downwind to base, both engines lost total power. The pilot activated both auxiliary electric boost pumps to the "LOW" position, but no change in power was observed.
Forced Landing
Unable to reach the runway, the pilot conducted a forced landing on a residential road. The airplane landed hard, struck a tree and a fence, and was subsequently destroyed by fire.
Post-Accident Examination
The airplane had approximately 40–60 gallons of fuel before departure. The amount of fuel remaining at the accident site could not be determined. Fuel samples obtained from all four fuel tanks showed no anomalies.
The Cessna Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) "Before Landing" checklist specifies that fuel selectors should be positioned as follows: Front Engine – "LEFT MAIN"; Rear Engine – "RIGHT MAIN". The "Engine-Out During Flight" checklist requires the fuel selectors to be in the main tank positions and instructs the pilot to "turn its auxiliary fuel pump on 'HI' until fuel flow is restored."
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accumulated 46 total hours in the airplane make and model.