What happened
While descending toward its intended destination, the pilot notified air traffic control of a requirement to divert to a nearer airport due to insufficient fuel levels. Air traffic controllers suggested an airport located 4 miles from the aircraft's position. After contacting the tower at this alternate location and reporting low fuel, the pilot received clearance to land. Approximately 30 seconds after this clearance, the pilot communicated that the aircraft would be unable to reach the runway. The aircraft type subsequently struck a field situated 3.25 miles southeast of the airport.
Witnesses at the scene noted that the engines sounded irregular and appeared to sputter prior to the impact. The crash site was located near forty-foot power lines, which were positioned 311 feet from the point where the plane hit the ground. It is believed the pilot may have been maneuvering to avoid these lines during an emergency descent, leading to an unintended stall and subsequent terrain collision.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage revealed that only about 1 quart of fuel remained in each tank, with no evidence of fuel leakage or spills found at the site. Although the aircraft's fuel totalizer indicated 123 gallons of remaining fuel, this figure was likely inaccurate due to improper manual updates by the pilot. Evidence suggests the pilot relied on the totalizer rather than actual fuel gauges, only contacting the tower after the low fuel pressure annunciator lights had activated. While the engines and airframe showed no mechanical defects that would have prevented operation, fuel exhaustion caused a complete loss of power to both engines.