Accident
On the morning of the accident, the pilot visually checked the fuel and noted approximately 55 gallons of fuel in each of the left and right tanks. The pilot then flew for about 1.5 hours and landed at another airport. During the subsequent departure from that airport for the return flight, the pilot did not visually check the fuel quantity.
During the return flight, the pilot observed that the left fuel tank quantity gauge was decreasing at an excessive rate. As a precaution, the pilot diverted to a nearby airport. While at approximately 4,000 feet, both engines sputtered and lost power within seconds of each other. The pilot realized that the airport could not be reached and performed an off-field landing into trees.
Investigation
At the time of power loss, the pilot recalled that the right fuel tank indicated about 20 gallons and the left tank indicated about 10 gallons. No fire, defoliation of vegetation, or significant liquid fuel was observed at the accident site. A small amount of residual fuel and an odor of fuel were noted. Due to impact damage to the fuel system, the presence of fuel on board at the time of the accident could not be positively determined.
Examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunction with the engines, fuel strainers, or fuel selector valves. The right fuel selector valve was found between the OFF and X-FEED positions. The left fuel selector valve was found halfway between the OFF and LEFT position. However, impact damage could have altered the positions of these valves.
Findings
The investigation noted that near simultaneous power loss can occur as a result of fuel exhaustion of both wing tanks while the fuel selector valves are in the normal position (each tank feeding each engine), or fuel exhaustion of one of the two fuel tanks while the fuel selector valves are on cross feed to both engines from the empty tank.