Incident Overview
On May 21, 2014, about 0733 eastern daylight time, an Embraer EMB-110P1, registration N116WA, encountered a total loss of engine power while in cruise flight. The aircraft was operated by Wiggins Airways Inc as cargo flight 1042 under 14 CFR Part 135. The flight had departed Manchester International Airport (MHT), New Hampshire, about 0700, destined for Burlington International Airport (BTV), Vermont. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed.
Emergency Landing
The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane sustained minor damage to the left wing flap. According to the pilot, during cruise at 8,000 feet above mean sea level, about 10 miles south of Warren-Sugarbush Airport (0B7), the fuel low pressure light and boost pump fail light illuminated. Subsequently, the right engine shut down, followed by the left engine. The pilot declared an emergency and selected "nearest airport" on the GPS. However, the nearest airport with a runway greater than 3,000 feet—a GPS limitation—was beyond glide range. The pilot then noticed 0B7 about 5 miles away and set up for approach. Upon touchdown, aggressive braking caused the left tire to deflate, the airplane veered left, the left main landing gear departed the paved runway, and then the right tire deflated.
Fuel Examination
Investigation by Vermont Aeronautics and the FAA revealed no fuel in either tank. Examination using cockpit fuel gauges and the dripless stick method confirmed both tanks were devoid of fuel. No fuel leaks or staining were noted; fuel caps were secure. The aircraft had last been refueled on May 13, 2014. Since then, it had flown 1.9 flight hours and consumed about 1,200 pounds of fuel. Maintenance personnel performed engine runs and taxi repositions during that period; one technician reported about 500 pounds of total fuel on board during a run on May 17. No refueling records were found between May 13 and the incident. A subsequent fuel quantity accuracy test found no abnormalities.
Additional Details
Tire skid marks began about 475 feet after the runway threshold. The left main landing gear departed the paved runway 942 feet past the initial skid marks. The aircraft came to rest 1,509 feet past the initial skid marks, with 590 feet of runway remaining. The pilot reported that his normal refueling procedure was to leave a fuel order the night prior, with 1,000 pounds per side as the standard load; he did not observe the fuel upload.