What happened
The incident occurred during the pilot's initial 700 nm cross-country journey in a recently acquired VB-1190. Before departure, the aircraft was refueled while parked on a slope. During this process, it was noted that the left wing tip sat approximately 12 to 14 inches lower than the right side. Despite this imbalance, the pilot proceeded with the flight, prioritizing maximum fuel capacity for the upcoming trip.
After reaching a cruising altitude of 21,000 feet and flying for roughly two hours, the pilot notified air traffic control of an intention to divert. During the descent, the pilot reported engine issues, specifically that one engine was sputtering. Shortly thereafter, an emergency was declared as both engines began to sputter, with only 15 total gallons of fuel remaining in the aircraft. An eyewitness observed the aircraft flying southbound with a side-to-side rocking motion before it rolled to the right and struck a citrus grove.
Findings
Post-accident inspections of the airframe showed no evidence of mechanical failure within the flight control surfaces or systems prior to impact. Similarly, the investigation into the power plant found no pre-impact failures in any reciprocating or rotating engine components.
Crucial information regarding fuel capacity was identified in the Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual, which specifies that usable fuel calculations assume the aircraft is sitting on a level ramp. The manual notes that wing tanks are highly sensitive to the aircraft's attitude; if the plane is not level, the tanks cannot be filled to their full usable capacity. This discrepancy between the actual fueling conditions and the required level surface led to fuel exhaustion.