What happened
While conducting a cross-country flight, the pilot encountered challenging meteorological conditions, including significant mountain wave activity and high-altitude winds. Despite the presence of these known adverse weather patterns, the flight continued toward its intended destination. During the transit, the pilot bypassed multiple available locations where the aircraft could have landed for refueling. Eventually, the fuel supply was completely depleted, resulting in a total loss of power to both engines. Following the engine failure, the aircraft struck heavily wooded terrain.
Findings
An investigation into the accident revealed that the primary contributing factor was a failure to adequately prepare for the impact of known weather hazards. The pilot did not sufficiently account for the effects of strong winds aloft and mountain wave activity during the flight planning process. This lack of preparation, combined with the decision to bypass several potential fuel stops, led directly to the exhaustion of fuel reserves and the subsequent loss of propulsion.