Preflight and Departure
Before the flight, the pilot conducted a preflight inspection and noted that the fuel gauge indicated a full tank. However, the pilot did not visually inspect the fuel tanks to confirm the actual fuel quantity. The airplane departed and the en route portion of the flight was uneventful.
Loss of Engine Power
During the downwind leg of a circling approach, the engines began to surge. The pilot responded by applying full power and activating the fuel boost pumps. While the airplane was abeam the approach end of the runway on the downwind leg, the engines surged again and subsequently lost power entirely.
Forced Landing and Impact
The pilot executed a forced landing, but the airplane impacted terrain short of the runway. Postaccident examination by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed that the fuselage was buckled in several areas and the left wing was crushed and bent upward. The fuel tanks remained intact, and approximately one cup of fuel was drained from the single fuel sump.
Fuel and Flight Records
Fueling records indicated that the airplane had been refueled with 135 gallons of fuel three days before the accident, which corresponded to approximately four hours of operational time. Flight records showed that the airplane had flown about four hours since that refueling when the engines lost power.
Official Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be the pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.