Accident Overview
On March 22, 2021, at approximately 1230 central daylight time, a Piper PA-30 airplane, registration N7588Y, sustained substantial damage during an accident near Wanatah, Indiana. The two commercial pilots aboard were not injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Sequence of Events
The pilots had been practicing instrument approaches with one serving as a safety pilot. After about 2.6 flight hours in cruise, the left engine lost power. The pilot diverted toward Porter County Airport in Valparaiso, Indiana, and subsequently feathered the left engine propeller to reduce drag. While on final approach, the right engine also lost power, forcing the pilot to execute a forced landing into a field. The impact damaged the fuselage skin and longerons.
Post-Accident Examination
According to the pilots, both fuel selectors were positioned to the auxiliary tank setting. They recalled that the auxiliary tank fuel gauges indicated more than half full at the time of the power losses. However, post-accident examination revealed that both auxiliary fuel tanks were empty, while both inboard (main) fuel tanks were nearly full. No evidence of fuel contamination or fuel leaks was found. The auxiliary fuel tank gauges read empty. The engine-driven fuel pumps and fuel boost pumps operated normally. After the incident, each auxiliary tank was serviced with 5 gallons of fuel, which caused the tank gauges to increase to levels consistent with the added fuel.