What happened
During a flight passing approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta, GA, the crew experienced a rapid decline in fuel levels as indicated by the center tank gauge. Shortly after noticing the decreasing fuel readings, both engines suffered a flameout. The pilot managed to restart the engines during the subsequent descent while following vectors toward the nearest airfield.
Upon attempting an approach, the aircraft encountered severe weather conditions, including fog, rain, and a low ceiling of 100 feet. While intercepting the ILS, the aircraft remained above the glide slope. The plane broke through the cloud layer late in the landing roll, approximately two-thirds down the runway, before exiting the paved surface and colliding with an ILS antenna array.
Findings
Investigations into the incident revealed that a worn center fuel cap had failed to lock securely, resulting in the cap becoming detached. This separation led to partial fuel loss and subsequent engine starvation. Additionally, it was noted that the pilot continued the flight despite a known malfunction with the fuel quantity gauge, which had incorrectly indicated higher fuel levels during the previous flight leg at Charlotte, NC.