Background
The pilot had flown the same route in the make and model airplane for nearly 4 years. For the flight, he calculated that 900 pounds of fuel were required and observed 956 pounds on the fuel totalizer.
Flight Sequence
Prior to departure, the ground controller informed the pilot of weather delays to the destination that could range up to 2.5 hours. En route, the pilot received holding instructions with an expected further clearance (EFC) time 50 minutes later. After being released from holding, 52 minutes after takeoff, the pilot was advised that he was being vectored for a 35-mile final approach. At that point, the pilot informed the controller that he was fuel critical. The controller vectored him ahead of other aircraft.
Ten minutes later, 84 minutes after takeoff, the controller queried the pilot about his fuel status. The pilot responded, "pretty low, seems like I'm losing oil pressure." One minute later, 85 minutes after takeoff, the pilot advised that he had shut down the right engine. He then declared an emergency and stated that he would not make the airport.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the fuel tanks were intact, the fuel caps were secured, and the amount of fuel recovered from both tanks was 1.5 gallons. This quantity was less than the specified unusable fuel volume for the airplane.
Operational Context
Company records indicated that similar flights typically took about 48 minutes, and the average fuel flow for the airplane was 580 pounds per hour.