On June 26, 2005, a Piper PA-31-310 (registration N601RE) operated by Evans Air Copr was involved in an aviation accident near Lake Huron, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The fuel exhaustion during cruise flight, the inadequate in-flight planning/decision by the pilot, and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot during the forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A commercial Part 91 flight impacted a lake after both engines lost power. The pilot reported empty left fuel tank and right tank at 1/4. Inspection confirmed left tank empty and minimal fuel in right tank.
Incident Details
A commercial operator flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 experienced a total loss of engine power on both engines, resulting in the airplane impacting a lake. The pilot reported that the left wing fuel tank was empty and the right wing fuel tank indicated a quarter full.
Fuel System Examination
Post-impact inspection of the airplane revealed that the left fuel tank was indeed empty. From the right wing, approximately one gallon of fuel was drained from each of the two fuel drains: the outboard fuel drain and the inboard fuel drain. The fuel selectors were found in their respective inboard fuel tank positions, and the crossfeed selector was in the off position.
No further information regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator name, location, or occupants was released in the source documentation.