Accident Overview
En route from Auburn to Novato, the aircraft experienced a simultaneous loss of power from both engines. The pilot initiated an emergency landing, but during the maneuver, the airplane contacted tree tops and subsequently crashed in a wooded locality close to Vacaville. The impact site was situated about 31 miles northeast of Novato-Gnoss Field. The accident resulted in the deaths of all five individuals on board.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was a double engine failure in flight followed by a collision with trees during the emergency landing attempt. This was attributed to the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation. Contributing factors reported include mismanagement of fuel, fuel exhaustion, and a forced landing off airport on land.
Contributing Factors
The investigation identified several contributing factors: mismanagement of fuel, fuel exhaustion, and that the landing was forced off airport on land.