Introduction
A pilot who was temporarily substituting for the regular pilot was involved in an accident near Mount Garnet after fuel exhaustion caused both engines to fail. The aircraft was subsequently damaged beyond repair.
Flight Details
Upon arrival at Kidston, the pilot checked the fuel quantity gauge and determined there was sufficient fuel for the return flight. However, as the aircraft approached the top of climb, the fuel gauge indicated a lower quantity than expected. After establishing cruise, the pilot rechecked and still believed sufficient fuel remained for the planned flight.
Shortly after passing Mount Garnet, both engine fuel flow gauges began to fluctuate, and the engines started surging. The pilot immediately turned the aircraft toward the Mount Garnet airstrip, but soon after, both engines failed completely.
Emergency Descent and Accident
The pilot attempted to glide the aircraft to the airstrip, but it collided with trees and came to rest approximately one kilometer from the runway 27 threshold. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The official investigation determined that both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot normally flew a different type of aircraft; this aircraft was only used by the company to supplement services, and route fuel requirements were specified. Consequently, the pilot had little need for significant fuel calculations.
On this occasion, the pilot had limited time between arrival at Cairns and the scheduled departure of the next flight. He ordered that only 80 liters of fuel be added to the aircraft tanks. The calculated fuel burn for the return flight to Kidston was approximately 240 liters, but departure from Cairns estimated only about 220 liters in the tanks. No additional fuel was added at Kidston, where refueling facilities were available.
Several factors were considered relevant: the aircraft's design limits fuel quantity determination to the gauge unless tanks are full; the pilot's preflight preparation regarding fuel requirements was inadequate; and the pilot lacked recent experience with complex fuel calculations.