What happened
While conducting a nighttime cargo operation from Chicago, an aircraft experienced a simultaneous loss of power in both engines. As the plane was performing its approach to Youngstown Airport, the dual engine failure resulted in a rapid loss of altitude. The aircraft descended into a wooded region, where it impacted several trees before coming to rest. The impact caused the total destruction of the airframe. There was one fatality involving the pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified that the primary reason for the dual engine failure was improper fuel management by the pilot-in-command. Several specific mechanical and operational issues contributed to the loss of power:
- The aircraft experienced fuel starvation
- The fuel selector valve was left in a position between the available tanks
- Both fuel selectors were not opened fully
- This led to the simultaneous failure of both engines