What happened
During a series of flight segments, a pilot operated an aircraft type involving two main fuel tanks and two nacelle tanks. Prior to the initial departure from the home airport, the pilot observed cockpit gauges indicating full nacelle tanks and estimated the main tanks held enough fuel for 30 minutes of flight. However, the pilot did not perform any independent verification of these levels. After adding 30 gallons to each main tank, the aircraft departed with two passengers to an intermediate stop 45 miles away, where a third passenger joined the flight.
Following the first leg, the aircraft proceeded to a destination 165 miles further. Upon arrival, the pilot noted the nacelle gauges indicated full levels but did not confirm the actual volume in the main tanks. After adding 40 gallons to each main tank, the aircraft completed a return leg to the intermediate airport, where the third passenger disembarked. During the final leg back to the home airport, the aircraft experienced a total loss of power from both engines while on final approach. The pilot executed a forced landing in a field approximately 1.2 miles short of the runway. There were 0 fatalities and no injuries reported among the crew and passengers.
Findings
Post-accident investigations revealed that all four fuel tanks were completely empty at the time of the crash. No mechanical failures or fuel leaks were identified that would have prevented continued flight. While the pilot reported that gauges showed remaining fuel during the power loss, the investigation determined that the aircraft likely departed the intermediate airport with much less fuel than the manufacturer's minimum requirements. The primary cause was identified as inadequate and improper pre- and inflight fuel planning and procedures by the pilot, specifically the failure to independently verify fuel quantities.