What happened
While operating in a cruise phase at 19,000 feet MSL, the pilot requested a diversion from the original flight plan to an intermediate airport to allow for a restroom break. Approximately 70 minutes into the flight, the aircraft was traveling on an easterly heading. As the aircraft reached 12,000 feet MSL, roughly two miles west of the amended destination, the pilot notified air traffic control of a fuel emergency light and requested an expedited approach.
Following the notification, the aircraft continued on its easterly path, passing the intended airport by nearly 8 miles before the pilot initiated a turn to reverse course. Rather than flying a direct path back to the airport, the pilot followed a parallel reciprocal track, only turning toward the airfield once the aircraft intercepted the runway's extended centerline. The pilot subsequently notified the controller that the destination could not be reached, resulting in a forced landing less than one mile from the runway.
Findings
Post-accident investigations focused on the integrity of the fuel system. Although both fuel tanks were breached during the accident, inspections of the supply and return sides of the system showed no leaks. Furthermore, a CT scan and flow testing of the engine-driven fuel pump found no evidence of leakage, and the engine performed successfully during test cell operations.
Analysis of engine and fuel monitoring data indicated that fuel consumption during the two preceding flights was consistent with standard consumption rates. On the day of the accident, while the initial fuel reduction matched the climb power setting, the fuel quantity continued to decrease at a rate consistent with a climb setting even after the pilot had reduced engine power to cruise levels. Data showed that the fuel levels in both the left and right tanks reached zero gallons within approximately 10 minutes of each other, shortly before the landing. While the engine likely lost power due to fuel exhaustion, the discrepancy between the indicated fuel flow and the actual reduction in fuel quantity remained unexplained.