Incident Summary
During a cross-country flight, the pilot was unable to locate a scheduled refueling stop and landed at an alternative location 100 miles from the intended stop. No refueling was accomplished, and the pilot decided to proceed to the final destination with the remaining fuel.
Loss of Power
En route, the right engine began to lose power, prompting the pilot to recognize fuel starvation. Switching to crossfeed restored normal engine operation. Despite being only about 3 miles from the destination, the pilot opted to land on a 4,000-foot dirt agricultural airstrip visible directly below.
Forced Landing and Overrun
The aircraft was forced down, landing downwind at high speed approximately midway down the runway. It failed to stop before the runway end, overrunning into a dirt bank and fence. The landing gear was knocked off during the overrun, and the aircraft became airborne again for about 700 feet before impacting terrain and tumbling. It came to rest inverted roughly 825 feet beyond the dirt bank.
Post-Impact Fire
A fire developed in the left wing, consuming most of the area near the left fuel tank outboard of the left engine.
Pilot Statement
The pilot stated that there were no malfunctions of the aircraft or systems.
Probable Cause (Official Findings)
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - nonmechanical. Phase of operation: cruise - normal. Findings: fluid, fuel - starvation; preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command; became lost/disoriented - inadvertent - pilot in command; in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command; refueling - not performed - pilot in command.
Occurrence #2: forced landing. Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown. Findings: precautionary landing - performed - pilot in command.
Occurrence #3: overrun. Phase of operation: landing - roll. Findings: weather condition - tailwind; planned approach - improper - pilot in command; airspeed - excessive - pilot in command; proper touchdown point - not attained - pilot in command; wrong runway - selected - pilot in command.
Occurrence #4: nose over. Phase of operation: landing - roll. Findings: terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment.