Flight Details
A pilot departed Bankstown, NSW at 1223 ESuT in a Cessna 340, intending to fly to Townsville, Qld via Walgett, St George, Roma, Emerald, and Clermont. After climbing to 16,000 ft, the pilot set a long-range power setting of about 49%, achieving a true air speed of 168 kts and a fuel burn of 141 lbs per hour.
En Route Decisions
Approaching the ‘OLDER’ waypoint north of Clermont, the pilot reviewed the fuel situation and, due to a strong tailwind, decided to continue to Cairns. He informed an enroute controller of this decision and requested a clearance to track in the opposite direction on a one-way air route for fuel planning. The controller could not approve this but offered a direct track to Biboohra, a navigation aid 20 NM west of Cairns. The pilot accepted, intending to later request a more direct route to Cairns.
Fuel Concerns
About 15 minutes later, the pilot requested a more direct track. The controller advised him to contact the approach controller. The pilot told the approach controller he had minimum fuel. When asked if he was declaring an emergency, the pilot replied affirmatively, later stating he hoped to expedite his arrival. He was instructed to descend to 6,500 ft and track direct to Cairns. The controller asked if he preferred a left or right downwind for runway 15; the pilot requested left downwind.
Descent and Engine Issues
The pilot later noted that the fuel flow gauges indicated a total flow of 140 lbs per hour, and the fuel quantity gauges for the selected main tanks, though wandering, displayed a healthy amount given he was about 12 NM from the destination. As he approached 6,500 ft, he requested further descent and was cleared to 4,000 ft. During descent, the pilot saw Cairns City but not the runway. The DME indicated 9 NM to Cairns Airport. At about this time, one fuel flow gauge indicated zero, and one or both engines began to surge and run roughly.
Forced Landing
The pilot immediately informed the controller. The controller asked if he was familiar with Greenhill airstrip, about 10 NM southeast of Cairns airport. The pilot was not. The controller indicated the strip at his two o'clock position about two miles away, noting power lines and sugar cane. The pilot could not see the strip initially but, after several steep turns, spotted a cleared strip in a field. He decided to land. He extended the landing gear but realized he was too high, attempted a 360-degree steep turn onto final, but airspeed decreased rapidly and height was insufficient.
Outcome
At 1729 EST, the aircraft impacted the ground short of the strip and slid about 20 metres. The pilot was seriously injured; the passengers received minor injuries.
Probable Cause (Official Findings)
The reason for the initial fuel flow fluctuations was not identified by the pilot. It is likely that the pilot assumed the zero reading indicated impending fuel exhaustion and concentrated on conducting a landing in unfamiliar terrain. During the landing approach the pilot lost control of the aircraft and it descended rapidly to the ground.