Accident Overview
On December 21, 2012, at 1650 mountain standard time, a Beech 95-B55, registration N30WC, impacted terrain two miles southeast of runway 30 while on landing approach to Las Cruces International Airport (KLRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. It was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed; no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Santa Teresa (5T6), New Mexico, at approximately 1640.
Pre-Flight and Initial Approach
According to the pilot's accident report, he added 31 gallons of fuel (for a total of 70 gallons) prior to departing K5T6. The fuel gauges indicated the main tanks were one-half to three-quarters full, with the remainder in the auxiliary tanks. The fuel selectors were on the main tanks. He executed an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 30 in visual meteorological conditions.
Engine Problems
When the airplane was 10 miles from the runway threshold, the right engine started surging. Fuel flow fluctuated between 28 gallons per hour (gph) and 2 gph. The pilot advanced the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls and turned on the fuel boost pumps. He reported that the airplane yawed 45 to 70 degrees left and right, and he identified the right engine as having lost power. He feathered the propeller and secured the engine. Shortly thereafter, the left engine lost power. The airplane impacted terrain, shearing off the left wing. The right engine was partially separated from the right wing.
Post-Accident Findings
In a hospital interview, the pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he had shut down the right engine and described the procedure he used. The inspector noted that the right propeller had not been feathered and that both fuel selectors were in the auxiliary tank position. Photographs taken by the inspector showed the left engine throttle, propeller, and mixture controls were full forward. The right engine throttle and propeller control were only slightly retarded, and the mixture control was in the IDLE CUTOFF position. Both fuel selectors were positioned on the auxiliary tanks, but the fuel gauge selector switch was on the main tanks.
Fuel Estimate
In his written statement, the inspector estimated there should have been about 7 gallons in each auxiliary tank, which he computed as the fuel remaining after a flight from Santa Teresa to the accident site. The inspector also noted a placard affixed on the instrument panel warning: "DO NOT TAKE OFF IF FUEL QUANTITY GAGE INDICATES IN YELLOW ARC OR WITH LESS THAN 13 GALLONS IN EACH MAIN TANK."