What happened
While operating at a cruise altitude of 14,000 feet, the pilot of the aircraft encountered an issue with the fuel mixture control, which had frozen in a position that prevented leaning the mixture. This malfunction resulted in an increased rate of fuel consumption. Although the pilot briefly contemplated making an unscheduled stop to refuel, the decision was made to proceed toward the destination.
As the aircraft began its descent, both engines suffered a total loss of power. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an off-field location approximately 7 miles from the intended airport. The aircraft performed a gear-up impact with the terrain and dense scrub vegetation. The collision caused substantial damage to the fuselage, both engine mounts, and both wings. No injuries were reported among the occupants.
Findings
Post-accident investigations revealed that only a trace amount of fuel was left in the tanks at the time of the crash. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions present in the engines. The primary factor contributing to the incident was inadequate fuel management, which the pilot attributed to overconfidence in his flying experience.