What happened
A local visual flight rules (VFR) flight departed at 11:17, eventually contacting the Erie tower for landing procedures at 11:54. Shortly after this contact, at 11:59, the pilot notified the tower that the right engine had been feathered. Within one minute of that report, the pilot indicated that the left engine was also failing. The aircraft type lost altitude and entered a stall, impacting a residence located at 155 Euclide Avenue in Erie, approximately six miles from the airport threshold and near the Lake Erie shoreline. There were two fatalities resulting from the impact.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed significant fuel-related issues. No fuel was present in the right wing, while only 7 gallons remained in the left wing, with no fuel found in the left engine. The right fuel quantity circuit breaker had been secured in the 'on' position with a wire tie, and investigators discovered burned components on the rear of the right fuel quantity gauge printed circuit board. The most recent documented fuel purchase dated back to May 25, 1989. A diary recovered from the site contained handwritten notes regarding flight durations and fuel levels. The pilot failed to ensure sufficient fuel was available for the flight, a situation exacerbated by an inoperative right fuel quantity gauge that led to incorrect fuel calculations. Additionally, the aircraft entered an inadvertent stall during an attempt to reach the lake shore for an emergency landing.