Accident Overview
A private pilot and five passengers departed on an instrument flight rules cross-country flight in a multiengine airplane. The airplane had been fueled to capacity, providing about five hours of endurance. Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes after reaching cruise altitude of 12,000 ft mean sea level, the pilot reported a right engine fuel pump failure and requested diversion to the nearest airport. About seven minutes later, he reported losing both fuel pumps and stated the airplane had no engine power. The airplane descended and impacted trees about 1,650 ft short of the runway, followed by a postimpact fire.
Examination and Findings
Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact failures or malfunctions in the airframe or engines that would have prevented normal operation. Both propellers were in the unfeathered position. All six fuel pumps were tested and showed no anomalies. Corrosion in the right fuel boost pump was likely from water contamination during firefighting. The airplane had four fuel tanks: outboard and inboard in each wing. The fuel selector valves and handles were found in the outboard tank positions. Based on fuel state at departure and flight log notes, the outboard tanks contained sufficient fuel for about 1 hour 45 minutes of flight, matching when the pilot first reported a fuel pump anomaly. Engine data monitor readings were consistent with both engines losing fuel pressure due to fuel starvation.
Operational Context
According to the pilot's operating handbook, fuel should be consumed from outboard tanks before switching to inboard tanks after reaching cruise. Two fuel quantity gauges in the cockpit helped indicate when to switch. A flight instructor who previously flew with the pilot stated that this was their normal practice and that the pilot had not received training in the accident airplane for single-engine operations and emergency procedures. It is likely that the pilot failed to return the fuel selectors to the inboard positions once the outboard tanks were exhausted, but misdiagnosed the situation as a fuel pump anomaly.