What happened
While performing a full-stop landing approach within the traffic pattern, the pilot of a Mitsubishi MU-2 reported that both engines lost power. Following the loss of propulsion, the aircraft struck trees while attempting an emergency landing in a cotton field located near the airfield.
Findings
An investigation into the aircraft's maintenance records revealed that a specific manufacturer directive, Mitsubishi MU-2 Service Bulletin (SB) 130A, had not been implemented on the aircraft. This bulletin was designed to address a potential issue where improper filler cap installation or an inadvertent failure could create an air pressure imbalance between the center and outboard sections of the main integral fuel tank. Such a pressure differential can lead to air leakage, which prevents the fuel transfer system from successfully moving fuel from the outboard tank to the center tank.
While the operator's maintenance protocols required compliance with manufacturer service bulletins and specific FAA regulations for turbo propeller aircraft, the failure to implement the required service bulletin regarding the vent check valves was identified during the review of the maintenance logs.