Flight and Approach
The twin-engine airplane departed San Diego, California, on a non-stop cross-country flight to Galveston, Texas. The pilot had filed a flight plan indicating fuel for 7 hours and 30 minutes. At the time radar contact was lost, 7 hours and 32 minutes had elapsed since departure.
The pilot had been cleared for a night instrument approach to Galveston when he reported losing the right engine and noted a low fuel supply. The controller vectored the airplane toward the nearest airport.
Accident Sequence
When the airplane was approximately 1 mile northeast of that airport, radar contact was lost. A witness observed the airplane enter a spin, descend in a nose-down attitude, and impact near the center of a lake.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical discrepancies. The landing gear was found extended, the flaps were set to about 15 degrees, and neither propeller was feathered.
The single-engine approach procedure in the airplane owner's manual specified that the landing gear should be extended when within gliding distance of the field, and flaps should be lowered only after landing is assured.