What happened
An aircraft impacted wooded terrain following a period of engine instability. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing the engines make sputtering noises before they ceased functioning entirely prior to the impact. Upon arriving at the site, a responding sheriff's deputy overheard the pilot indicate that the aircraft had run out of fuel.
Findings
Physical examination of the wreckage revealed that the propeller blades on both engines sustained only minor damage, while both propeller spinners remained in their proper positions. Investigators noted that there was no detectable smell of fuel or visible fuel leakage at the crash site. During subsequent testing, both engines were provided with both electricity and fuel. Under these controlled conditions, both engines functioned without issue across a range of speeds from idle up to 1900 rpm. The investigation suggests that fuel exhaustion was the primary factor, despite the lack of immediate fuel odors at the wreckage.