Flight Details
The pilot-in-command (PIC) stated that the flight departed with 45 gallons of fuel and proceeded toward the destination airport. When the flight was approximately 3 miles north of the airport, the right engine began to surge.
Fuel Indications and Engine Problems
At the time of the engine surging, the PIC checked the left and right fuel gauges. The left gauge indicated just below 20 gallons, and the right gauge indicated 10 to 15 gallons. The PIC began troubleshooting the right engine issue and requested priority to land with the tower, while starting a turn toward the field.
Emergency Declaration and Landing
The controller asked the PIC if he was declaring an emergency, but the PIC advised he was not. The controller then advised him not to turn base because he would be on top of another aircraft. The PIC turned back onto the downwind leg, at which point the left engine began experiencing problems. He then declared an emergency and turned toward the airport but recognized he was unable to reach it. He subsequently landed on a road.
Fuel Spill and Containment
After landing, fire rescue set up sand barriers, with the largest containing fuel from the airplane. The barrier that contained the spilled fuel was approximately 5 feet long by 3 to 4 feet wide, and the depth of fuel inside the barrier was approximately 4 to 5 inches. Fire rescue personnel estimated 5 to 10 gallons of fuel leakage.
Postaccident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector conducted a postaccident examination of the airplane. No visible fuel was observed in the left wing fuel tank, and no fuel was present when the left wing sump drain was opened. Following recovery of the airplane, fuel lines in each engine compartment were examined. No fuel was found at the left engine fuel manifold valve, but trace amounts of fuel were found at the right engine fuel manifold valve. No fuel was detected at either left or right fuel inlet lines at engine driven fuel pumps, nor at the outlet side of the left engine driven fuel pump. Only a small amount of fuel was found in the outlet side of the right engine driven fuel pump. Additionally, only small amounts of fuel were found in the fuel inlet housing at each servo fuel injector. The total unusable fuel quantity is 9.4 gallons.