LAREDO, TX, USA
N8329M
Piper PA-34-220T
During descent for landing, the twin-engine airplane lost power in both engines due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot reported that during his preflight inspection, the fuel gauges were reading a little over 30 gallons on the left and about 35 gallons on the right. When the flight neared its destination, the pilot started a descent for landing. As he 'pitched' the nose down, the left gauge went to zero. A few minutes later, the right gauge went from about 20 gallons to zero, and a few seconds later, the right engine lost power, followed by the left engine. A forced landing was initiated to a nearby road; however, after observing traffic on the road, the pilot elected to land in the grass area next to the road. After touchdown, the right wing impacted a metal fence post, and the aircraft came to rest nose down in a ditch. Examination of the fuel system by an FAA inspector revealed no usable fuel in the left fuel tank, and the right fuel tank was destroyed. There was no evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site. The pilot reported that he could have prevented this accident by adding an 'extra 10 gallons' of fuel.
On June 27, 1999, at 1628 central daylight time, a Piper PA-34-220T twin-engine airplane, N8329M, registered to and operated by C&S ADTD Aviation, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Laredo, Texas. The instrument rated commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from San Antonio, Texas, at 1535, with a destination of Laredo. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that during his preflight inspection, the fuel gauges were reading a little over 30 gallons on the left and about 35 gallons on the right. The pilot further reported that when the flight was a few miles south of Cotulla, he started a descent for landing at Laredo. As he "pitched" the nose down, the left fuel gauge went to zero. "I didn't think we could be burning that much avgas so I assumed it was a gauge problem." A few minutes later the right gauge went from about 20 gallons to zero, and a few seconds later, the right engine lost power and then the left engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby road; however, after observing traffic on the road, he elected to land on the grass area next to the road. After touchdown, the right wing impacted a metal fence post, and the aircraft came to rest nose down in a ditch. The pilot stated that he could have prevented this accident by adding an "extra 10 gallons" of fuel. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed a partial separation of the right wing and damage to both propellers. Examination of the fuel system revealed no usable fuel in the left fuel tank, and the right fuel tank was destroyed. There was no evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site.
The pilot's failure to refuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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