On January 21, 1983, a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor (registration N69K) operated by Raymond A. Waldrop was involved in an aviation accident near Leesburg, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - final approach Findings 1. (c) fuel supply - disregarded - pilot in command 2. (c) fluid, fuel - exhaustion 3. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A multi-engine aircraft crashed into a lake during a forced landing after both engines lost power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot had not refueled after a prior cross-country flight. Occupants evacuated safely and were rescued by fishermen.
Accident Sequence
During a local flight with a pilot/passenger, the pilot-in-command announced that the aircraft had no fuel. While on approach to return to the airport, both engines began to cut out. The aircraft did not reach the runway and impacted the surface of a lake. The occupants were able to evacuate the aircraft and were subsequently picked up by fishermen. The aircraft came to rest on the bottom of the lake.
The aircraft had just completed a cross-country flight with the same pilot-in-command, and no refueling was accomplished prior to the accident flight.
Probable Cause
The official investigation identified three occurrences:
Occurrence #1: Loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical during approach in VFR pattern on final approach. Findings: (1) The pilot-in-command disregarded the fuel supply. (2) Fuel exhaustion occurred. (3) The pilot-in-command did not ensure adequate fuel supply.
Occurrence #2: Forced landing during the landing flare/touchdown phase.
Occurrence #3: In-flight collision with terrain/water during the landing flare/touchdown phase.
The probable cause is fuel mismanagement by the pilot-in-command, leading to total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
