What happened
During a flight transitioning from Peru toward Louisville, the aircraft experienced a simultaneous loss of power in both engines while at cruising altitude. Following the loss of propulsion, the pilot initiated a descent to lower an altitude for an emergency approach. The crew attempted to reach a suitable landing site, eventually targeting an open field.
Upon touchdown, the landing gear failed and collapsed, causing the aircraft type to settle onto its belly. While the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss, there were no fatalities; however, all five occupants sustained serious injuries during the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the incident identified that the dual engine failure occurred during normal cruise operations due to inadequate preflight preparation. Several contributing elements were noted in the official report:
- The crew experienced fuel exhaustion following the mismanagement of fuel supplies.
- The aircraft's fuel quantity gauge was providing erratic readings, complicating monitoring.
- The landing site consisted of rough and uneven terrain.
- The incident necessitated a forced landing off the airport onto land.