On November 29, 1972, a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor (registration N717R) operated by Luthi Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States of America during landing or approach. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of both engines on final due to fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a night approach to Minneapolis-St Paul Airport, both engines failed from fuel exhaustion. The airplane stalled and crashed into two houses. Both occupants were killed; no ground casualties.
Accident
On a nighttime approach to Minneapolis-St Paul Airport, an airplane experienced a simultaneous failure of both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The loss of thrust caused the aircraft to stall and then descend into two houses situated several miles short of the intended runway. The impact destroyed the airplane and both residences. The two occupants aboard the aircraft were killed in the crash; there were no injuries among people on the ground.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause for the accident was the failure of both engines on final approach because of fuel exhaustion. The investigation also reported several contributing factors: inadequate preflight preparation, mismanagement of the fuel supply, the presence of high obstructions, and the pilot's failure to refuel the aircraft at Duluth Airport before departing.