What happened
During an aerial observation mission, the pilot of a piston engine-equipped multiengine airplane notified air traffic control of an ongoing fuel issue, expressing the need to return to the departure airfield. As the aircraft approached the airport, the pilot reported uncertainty regarding whether the remaining fuel would allow for a successful arrival. Radar data indicated that the aircraft began a descent toward a golf course fairway, with the groundspeed dropping toward the minimum control speed for single-engine flight.
Witnesses observed the engine sputtering and heard loud backfires before the aircraft began flying at an uneven angle. The airplane reportedly turned left and entered a nose-dive into a residential neighborhood, striking a tree and a house before stopping in a backyard. Following the impact, a fire broke out in the area of the left engine nacelle, eventually engulfing the wreckage. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported among the occupants, though the aircraft was destroyed.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage showed no evidence of mechanical failure in either engine prior to the crash. While the fuel systems were damaged by the impact, the remaining fuel levels were nearly depleted, except for the left engine nacelle tank. This specific tank requires an electric pump to transfer fuel to the main tanks. Although fire damage prevented a full inspection of the pump, records indicated that similar pumps in the operator's fleet had failed multiple times recently. The investigation concluded that the left engine likely suffered from fuel starvation because the fuel in the nacelle tank became inaccessible, either due to pump failure or failure to activate the pump.
Additionally, a fuel leak in the left wing had been noted by crew members a week prior, though maintenance records showed no repairs had been performed. Furthermore, the propeller on the left engine was not feathered, which would have hindered the pilot's ability to maintain control during single-engine operations. As the airspeed dropped below the minimum controllable threshold, the aircraft rolled left and descended rapidly. While toxicology reports showed the presence of an antihistamine in the pilot, ATC communications suggested the pilot remained alert and capable of following instructions.