What happened
On the flight path from Greeley to Denver, Colorado, an aircraft was conducting a repositioning flight to address minor maintenance requirements regarding a cargo door. While being vectored for its final approach, the pilot communicated that the engine appeared to be experiencing fuel starvation. Shortly after this report, the aircraft entered a complete roll and impacted a residential area.
Post-accident investigations revealed that only approximately 1.5 gallons of fuel remained in the right wing tank. Although the left wing and its associated tank were destroyed during the impact, investigators found no evidence of spilled fuel around the wreckage. Additionally, the fuel lines were found to be empty. Records indicated that the aircraft had not been replenished with fuel following its previous mission.
Findings
Investigation into the crash identified several critical factors. The pilot of the previous flight had estimated that 100 lbs of fuel remained in each tank at the conclusion of that leg, yet the aircraft was operated without being refueled. This led to inadequate fuel supply and subsequent starvation. Other contributing factors included improper preflight inspections, errors in in-flight planning, and a failure to maintain necessary airspeed and control during the final stages of the approach.