Narrative
A cargo flight operating between Detroit, Michigan, and Valdosta, Georgia, was crewed by a single pilot. During the descent phase, the pilot realized that the fuel remaining was insufficient to complete the flight to Valdosta. He elected to divert to Albany, Georgia. At the moment of the diversion decision, one of the aircraft's engines stopped operating due to fuel exhaustion. The weather in the area was characterized by fog, reducing visibility. The airplane subsequently struck trees and crashed approximately several miles from the airfield. The pilot sustained injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the probable cause of the accident was engine failure during a missed approach due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors identified include: inadequate preflight preparation and planning, improper instrument flight rules (IFR) operation, improper in-flight decisions and planning, mismanagement of fuel, fog, high obstructions in the vicinity, complete loss of power from one engine, and fuel exhaustion occurring during the missed approach.