What happened
On July 28, 2012, a Beech A36TC, registration N6672X, experienced a total loss of engine power while on final approach to Fayetteville Regional Airport (FAY) in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The aircraft, which departed from Billy Mitchell Airport (HSE) in Hatteras, North Carolina, was unable to reach the runway and performed a forced landing in a field short of the airport. The pilot and two passengers were not injured, though the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
Prior to departure, the pilot identified a leak at the right wing fuel sump during a preflight inspection and noted that the right fuel tank was empty. Although the pilot intended to divert to Dare County Regional Airport (MQI) to have the sump inspected, he elected to continue to Fayetteville after reaching MQI. During the flight, the pilot observed the left fuel tank gauge fluctuate from a 1/8 full reading to a 3/4 full reading.
The investigation
An investigation by the FAA revealed that both the left and right fuel tanks were empty at the time of the accident. While the fuel gauges had indicated remaining fuel, post-accident examination showed that neither tank had been breached during the landing. The right fuel sump was found to be operating normally during testing.
An engine test run conducted on August 18, 2012, under FAA supervision, showed that the engine started on the first attempt and operated smoothly through all power settings once fuel was provided. Calculations indicated that the flight should have consumed approximately 24 gallons of fuel, suggesting the actual fuel remaining in the left tank at departure may have been lower than the pilot's initial estimate.