Accident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft was completing a multi-leg flight from Miami to Philadelphia with an intermediate stop in Norfolk, Virginia. During the second leg, the pilot encountered fuel problems and was forced to divert to Salisbury Regional Airport for an emergency landing. On final approach, both engines stopped simultaneously. The airplane stalled, struck trees, and crashed in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed. All five occupants sustained injuries, with two classified as serious.
Fuel System Examination
Post-accident investigation revealed that the fuel system had several anomalies. The majority of the fuel was found only in the tip tanks, with the main and other tanks empty. An undetermined amount of fuel was lost due to a broken O-ring seal. Additionally, the fuel level control valve was noted as a factor.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was a double engine failure caused by fuel starvation. Contributing factors included:
- Mismanagement of fuel on the part of the pilot
- Miscalculation of fuel consumption on the part of the pilot
- Fuel starvation
- Double engine failure
- Fuel present only in tip tanks while other tanks were empty
- Undetermined amount of fuel lost due to a broken O-ring seal
- Fuel level control valve issues
These factors collectively led to the loss of engine power during the critical phase of landing.