On June 12, 1975, a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor (registration N9430Z) operated by George A. Sanborn was involved in an aviation accident near Steins, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of both engines following a fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors: mismanagement of fuel, fuel exhaustion, rough/uneven terrain, illegal flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A pilot on a drug smuggling flight experienced a complete failure of both engines due to fuel exhaustion, crash-landed in a dry lake bed, and abandoned the aircraft; the pilot was not found.
Accident Overview
The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was completing a drug smuggling flight while the aircraft carried a load of marijuana. During the flight, both engines failed completely. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a desert area. The airplane crash-landed in a dry lake bed and struck a ditch. After the crash, the aircraft was abandoned, and the pilot was not found.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the failure of both engines following fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors reported include mismanagement of fuel, fuel exhaustion, rough/uneven terrain, and the illegal nature of the flight.