What happened
A flight departing from a residential airpark with no on-site refueling capabilities ended in an accident approximately 37 miles from the destination. Shortly after takeoff, a passenger noted that the aircraft appeared to have a low fuel supply. The pilot indicated that a discrepancy existed between the fuel gauges and suggested that fuel could be drawn from the tank showing a higher level if needed. Roughly 15 minutes into the flight, the pilot notified air traffic control that the aircraft was experiencing a critical fuel shortage. Five minutes later, both engines suffered a total loss of power, causing the aircraft to descend into trees and terrain. Post-accident inspections of the airframe and engines revealed that all fuel tanks were nearly empty, though no contamination was found in the remaining trace amounts.
Findings
Investigation into the pilot's medical status revealed several chronic conditions, including hypertension, emphysema, and coronary artery disease. While these conditions were not deemed to have caused acute incapacitation during the flight, toxicology reports identified the presence of marijuana and several prescription medications, specifically oxycodone, gabapentin, and diclofenac. The combined sedative and impairing effects of these substances likely played a role in the accident. Ultimately, the combination of marijuana and prescription medications likely impaired the pilot's judgment, leading to the failure to ensure the aircraft had enough fuel to reach its destination.