Accident Overview
The pilot of a single-engine aircraft (registration not provided) experienced engine trouble shortly after climbing to an altitude of 2,500 feet. The right engine began to sputter, prompting the pilot to place the fuel selector in the crossfeed position. This action resulted in both engines ceasing to operate.
Forced Landing
With no engine power, the pilot elected to land in an open field. The subsequent landing caused substantial damage to the nose, wings, and tail section of the aircraft. The aircraft also struck trees during the landing flare.
Post-Crash Investigation
An inspection of the fuel system after the accident revealed that both the fuel tanks and the fuel metering units for both engines were completely empty. The pilot informed investigators that the last refueling occurred several weeks prior, and the aircraft had been flown multiple times since that refueling.
Official Findings
The official probable cause was determined to be fuel exhaustion, attributed to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to refuel the aircraft. The sequence of events included a total loss of engine power due to nonmechanical reasons during climb, a forced landing, and an in-flight collision with terrain (trees) during the landing flare. The pilot performed a wheels-up landing.