Overview
A taxi flight from Norfolk to Roanoke ended in a crash after the pilot reported a double engine failure. While at cruising altitude, the pilot notified air traffic control that both engines had failed and initially chose to divert to the nearest airport. Shortly thereafter, the pilot decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft subsequently crashed in an open field. Both occupants suffered slight injuries, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Accident Sequence
During the flight, the pilot experienced a loss of power from both engines. After informing ATC, the pilot was cleared to divert. However, the decision was made to perform an emergency landing rather than continue to an airport. The landing was attempted in an open field, but the aircraft impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The official report states that the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Contributing Factors
The official investigation identified several contributing factors. The pilot's preflight preparation was found to be inadequate, leading to the engine failure. Specifically, there was mismanagement of fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Additionally, the fuel quantity gauge was improperly aligned or adjusted. The gauge indicated 1/8 full, but the tanks were empty. This misreading likely contributed to the pilot's fuel management decisions. The forced landing off airport on land was another factor.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was a Douglas engine failure in flight due to the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation.