What happened
During a recent flight, the pilot operated an aircraft under the mistaken belief that the inboard fuel tanks had been filled to capacity. The pilot had previously requested that the local fixed base operator top off the tanks before departure. Relying on this expectation, the pilot entered 202 gallons into the cockpit fuel computer, though the actual amount of fuel on board was only 61 gallons. Because the pilot did not visually verify the fuel levels before takeoff, the discrepancy went unnoticed.
As the flight progressed toward its destination, the fuel supply was depleted. This led to a total loss of power in both engines. The pilot was forced to execute an emergency landing in a cemetery located approximately one mile from the airport. The impact caused substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage of the aircraft.
Findings
An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed that the primary cause of the incident was the pilot's failure to visually check the fuel levels prior to departure. The pilot had relied on a standing order for fueling that was not actually carried out. There were no mechanical issues or pre-existing failures reported that would have prevented the aircraft from operating normally. The two occupants of the aircraft, the pilot and a passenger, sustained minor injuries during the landing.