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Fuel Exhaustion Leads to Forced Landing After Dual Engine Failure (N419AR)

Stuart-Witham Field, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On March 14, 2014, a Cessna 402 (registration N419AR) operated by Mardon Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Stuart-Witham Field, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s improper preflight planning and fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines due to fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot made a forced landing in a field after both engines quit due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot had not visually checked fuel levels before departure, relying instead on calculations from previous short flights.

Incident Overview and Engine Failure Sequence During the approach to the destination airport, the pilot was instructed by air traffic control to enter a two-mile left base. Approximately three miles from the airport, the controller advised the pilot to intercept a six-mile final approach. About one and a half miles from the runway, the left engine stopped. The pilot repositioned the fuel valve to the left inboard fuel tank and successfully restarted the engine. Shortly afterward, the right engine also stopped. When the pilot attempted to reposition the right fuel valve to the right inboard fuel tank to restart the right engine, the left engine stopped again, prompting the pilot to make a forced landing in a field.

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper preflight planning and fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines due to fuel exhaustion.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

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