What happened
During a local demonstration flight operating out of Miami-Opa Lockca Airport, an aircraft experienced a simultaneous loss of power in both engines. Following the engine failure, the pilot lost control of the aircraft type as it descended into a residential area. The plane struck several houses located in Miami Lakes, situated to the west of the airfield.
The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were two fatalities/injuries reported, with both occupants sustaining serious injuries during the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified that the primary reason for the dual engine failure was fuel starvation. The investigation revealed a significant discrepancy in fuel levels between the wing tanks; while the right tank contained 70 gallons of fuel, the left tank was completely empty.
Several contributing factors were noted during the inquiry:
- The pilot failed to monitor the fuel supply effectively
- A failure to utilize the proper checklists during flight operations
- Inattention to the status of the aircraft's fuel reserves