Accident Overview
On a business trip from Canada to the United States, a pilot and one passenger were killed when their aircraft crashed during the approach to Albuquerque International Airport. The accident occurred while the aircraft was turning from the base leg to the final approach.
Flight Details
The pilot had the aircraft's fuel tanks 'topped off' before departing from Kansas City. The flight plan indicated an enroute time of 3 hours 30 minutes to Albuquerque, with 5 hours 30 minutes of fuel onboard. However, strong enroute winds and turbulence, as forecast, resulted in an actual flight time of 4.4 hours.
Examination and Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of fuel in or around the aircraft. The manufacturer recommends using the main tanks for 90 minutes before switching to any auxiliary tank to prevent venting of return fuel overboard, which can diminish the fuel supply.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause involved two occurrences: first, a partial loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and inadvertent fuel dumping by the pilot, compounded by unfavorable wind conditions. Second, a subsequent loss of control during an uncontrolled descent resulting from an inadvertent stall/spin.