Flight Summary
The private pilot began a cross-country flight in his high-performance, turbine-powered airplane with full fuel tanks. After landing, the airplane was serviced with 150 gallons of fuel, and the pilot departed on the return flight. As the airplane approached the destination airport, the pilot requested priority handling, reporting that the airplane had 'lost a transfer pump and had a little less fuel than he thought,' and he did not want to approach with a single engine. When asked if he needed assistance, he replied 'negative.' The pilot was cleared for a visual approach to runway 19 during night conditions. Shortly after, the pilot requested the runway lights for runway 25 be turned on and reported that one engine had lost power. The controller confirmed the lights were being activated and issued a landing clearance. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain before the threshold of runway 25.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed flight control continuity. No usable fuel was found in any fuel tank, though fuel was present in the fuel lines. All transfer pumps and boost pumps were operational. The engine-driven fuel pumps on both engines contained fuel in their filter bowls and could rotate freely when manipulated by hand. Disassembly showed their inlet filters were unobstructed. However, bearing surfaces in both pumps exhibited pitting consistent with operation under inadequate fuel lubrication, indicating that fuel had not reached the pump in sufficient quantity.
Performance Calculations
Two methods were used to estimate fuel consumption for the return flight. The first, a flight planning method described in the airplane flight manual, indicated that about 18 gallons (119 lbs) of fuel would have remained. The second, a fuel burn simulation developed from manual data, predicted the airplane would run out of fuel on approach. Additionally, regulations require night flights to carry fuel for the destination plus 45 minutes of reserve. The calculated reserves at maximum cruise power were about 56 gallons (366 lbs) and at maximum range power about 37.8 gallons (246 lbs). The pilot did not depart with sufficient reserves, and all usable fuel was exhausted during the approach.
Official Finding
The probable cause was determined to be the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his decision to depart without the required fuel reserve, which resulted in fuel exhaustion during a night approach and subsequent loss of engine power.