What happened
A pilot operating a twin-engine aircraft departed from his home airport for a 90-mile personal flight carrying eight passengers. During the initial climb, the pilot noted minor surges in both engines between altitudes of 1,150 and 3,300 feet. Approximately 30 minutes later, while the aircraft was leveled at 1,500 feet, the right auxiliary fuel pump light illuminated intermittently, followed by a complete loss of power in the right engine. Shortly after this event, the left engine also began surging. Within a few minutes, the pilot feathered the left engine propeller and performed a ditching in Massachusetts Bay.
Following the accident, the aircraft was recovered approximately one month later. Investigation of the fuel tanks showed fluid consistent with seawater and a faint odor of fuel, though no liquid fuel was visible. The fuel selectors had been set to the outboard tanks. The aircraft's total fuel capacity was 192 gallons, with 182 gallons usable.
Findings
An examination of the engines and airframe showed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions occurring prior to the impact. The pilot had recently completed type-specific training and possessed 1,050 total flight hours, including 65 hours in this specific model. Prior to the flight, the aircraft had been refueled with 100 gallons of low-lead aviation gasoline. The preflight inspection conducted by the pilot did not include a visual inspection of the fuel tanks.