What happened
During a night cross-country flight, a pilot operating a turbine-powered airplane requested priority handling due to a reported failure of a transfer pump and concerns regarding low fuel levels. Following a refueling stop where 150 gallons were added, the pilot began the return leg of the journey. While approaching the destination airport, the pilot requested that the lights for runway 25 be activated and reported that one engine had lost power. The aircraft was cleared for a visual approach to runway 19, but during the approach to runway 25, the aircraft struck terrain prior to reaching the runway threshold.
Findings
Post-accident investigations of the wreckage confirmed that flight control continuity remained intact and no pre-impact mechanical failures or airframe malfunctions were identified that would have prevented normal operation. While all transfer and boost pumps were found to be functional and the engine-driven pumps contained fuel, the fuel tanks were found to be empty of usable fuel. Examination of the pump bearings showed pitting, which is consistent with operating under conditions where inadequate fuel lubrication occurred because fuel was not reaching the pumps.
Although standard flight planning calculations suggested the aircraft possessed enough fuel to complete the trip with a small margin, more detailed fuel burn simulations indicated that the aircraft would have exhausted its fuel supply during the approach phase. The investigation concluded that the pilot departed the flight with insufficient fuel reserves to meet regulatory requirements for night operations, leading to the exhaustion of all usable fuel during the final stages of the flight.