What happened
While approaching Spruce Creek Airport, the pilot of the Raytheon aircraft initiated a fuel transfer to address an imbalance between the wing tanks. The pilot began crossfeeding fuel from the right tank to the left tank. During a descent from 12,500 feet and an initial left turn, both engines stopped running. The engines restarted via auto-ignition once the wings were leveled. At that time, fuel levels were recorded between 30 and 35 pounds in the right tank and 10 to 15 pounds in the left tank.
As the aircraft continued the approach and entered a left bank for a left base to runway 23, the engines failed for a second time. Realizing the runway was unreachable, the pilot attempted to land on a taxiway. The engines restarted a third time as the aircraft leveled the wings near the start of the taxiway. During the final landing attempt, a vehicle stopped on the taxiway centerline, forcing the pilot to apply power and climb away. During a subsequent climbing left turn, both engines failed for a third time, causing the aircraft to descend toward a group of condominiums. The pilot ultimately guided the aircraft into a retention pond to avoid buildings.
There were zero fatalities and zero injuries reported in the incident.
Findings
Post-accident inspections conducted by the FAA and representatives from Raytheon Aircraft Company, Pratt & Whitney Canada, and Hartzell Propeller Company found no mechanical anomalies in the airframe, flight controls, engines, or propellers. Investigators concluded that the engine failures were caused by fuel starvation resulting from the pilot transferring fuel from the right tank to the left tank while performing left turns, which depleted the fuel supply to the engines during the maneuvers.