Accident Overview
A twin-engine airplane was engaged in a local post-maintenance test flight in Miami, carrying one engineer and one pilot. While flying at low height, both engines lost power. The pilot attempted an emergency belly landing in a field. Both occupants escaped uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Sequence of Events
The test flight was intended to verify aircraft systems following maintenance, including a 100-hour inspection that was in progress. During the flight, at a low altitude, both engines simultaneously ceased to produce power. The pilot then maneuvered the aircraft for an emergency landing without extending the landing gear, resulting in a wheels-up touchdown in a field. No injuries were reported among the occupants, but the aircraft was destroyed.
Investigation Findings
Official investigation findings identified the probable cause as a wheels-up landing due to inadequate preflight preparation. Several contributing factors were reported: mismanagement of fuel, miscalculated fuel consumption, fuel exhaustion, inadequate maintenance and inspection, the fact that a 100-hour inspection was in progress, and a fuel quantity indicating system that was not calibrated. These factors collectively led to the loss of engine power and subsequent emergency landing.
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the probable cause was "Wheels-up landing due to inadequate preflight preparation."