Flight Sequence
The pilot completed an uneventful inbound flight lasting 1 hour 30 minutes. After landing, a visual inspection of the fuel tanks showed the fuel level in both tanks was approximately 1/2 inch below the tab. The aircraft was not flown again until the departure of the accident flight, and no fuel was purchased in the interim.
During the preflight inspection for the accident flight, the pilot observed the same fuel levels as after the inbound flight. He estimated that the aircraft departed with approximately 30 gallons of fuel.
Fuel Management
After takeoff, the aircraft climbed to 8,500 feet, where the pilot noted a ground speed of 70-72 knots. After obtaining winds aloft, he decided to descend to 6,500 feet and continued toward the destination. At a point where he was equidistant from the destination airport and an airport in the Bahamas, he elected to proceed to his intended destination.
He descended to 3,500 feet when the aircraft was about 20 miles from the destination airport. The flight continued, and when approximately 10 miles from the destination, the fuel supply in the right fuel tank was exhausted first, followed by the left fuel tank.
Accident
With both engines out of fuel, the pilot ditched the aircraft. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over. The pilot did not perform fuel consumption calculations for either flight, relying on his knowledge of historical fuel consumption.