The pilot in the multi-engine, retractable landing gear-equipped airplane reported that during an instrument flight rules cross-country flight, about 5,000ft MSL, the left engine surged several times and he performed an emergency engine shutdown. Shortly afterward, the right engine lost power.

During the emergency descent, the airplane struck tree tops, and landed hard in a field with the landing gear retracted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the engine mounts and the lower fuselage.

The pilot reported that he had requested 200 gallons of fuel from his home airport FBO, but they did not fuel the airplane. The pilot did not check the fuel quantity during his preflight inspection.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 2, page 2-7, pilot's must always positively confirm the fuel quantity by visually inspecting the level of each tank.

The PIC reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.