What happened
During the final approach phase of the flight, the pilot was maneuvering the aircraft according to instructions from air traffic control. After being directed to intercept a 6-mile final, the left engine lost power approximately 1.5 miles from the runway. The pilot attempted to restore power by switching the fuel valve to the left inboard tank, which successfully restarted the left engine. However, shortly thereafter, the right engine also failed. A second attempt to restart the right engine by adjusting the fuel valve was unsuccessful, as the left engine failed a second time. Consequently, the pilot performed a forced landing in a nearby field.
Prior to departure, the pilot had assessed the fuel levels based on calculations from previous short flights conducted after refueling the night before. However, no physical inspection of the actual fuel levels in the tanks was performed during the preflight check. Following the accident, the left wing fuel tanks were found to be empty, and no fuel was detected in the right wing tanks. While the pilot observed fuel leaking from the right wing vent after the impact, there was no evidence of a leak at the crash site.
Findings
An investigation into the aircraft systems and engines showed no mechanical defects that would have prevented standard operation. The condition of the aircraft, specifically the empty tanks and the absence of any mechanical malfunctions, indicates that the fuel exhaustion was the primary factor in the loss of power to both engines.