Accident Sequence
The pilot reported that he checked the fuel quantity in the inboard fuel tanks before departure but may have omitted the outboard tanks. After departing, the airplane climbed to 100 feet where it yawed to the right. The pilot believed this was due to a gust of wind and attempted to correct. At 200 feet, the airplane rolled hard to the right and subsequently impacted trees in a nose-down attitude of approximately 60 degrees.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that he regularly flew between Washington-Dulles and Southport, North Carolina using only the inboard fuel tanks. Consequently, he did not check the location of the fuel selector nor the fuel quantity in the outboard fuel tanks prior to the flight.
Post-Accident Examination
There was no indication of a left engine discrepancy before impact. Examination of the right engine revealed no fuel in the fuel lines, and only trace fuel was found in the fuel servo. The cockpit fuel selector for the right engine was discovered in the outboard tank position. The right outboard fuel tank was not breached and contained no fuel. The takeoff checklist specifies that the fuel selector should be positioned on the inboard fuel tank before takeoff.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause states: "The pilot's failure to follow the preflight checklist, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the significance of the accident was the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft following the loss of engine power."