Piper AEROSTAR 600A N10HK accident near Wichita, Kansas

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper fuel planning and management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was conducting a cross-country flight in the multiengine airplane when, about 8 miles north of the intended destination, the right engine began “sputtering and popping,” and he shut it down and feathered the propeller. Shortly thereafter, the left engine began “slowly spooling down” and the airplane was not able to maintain airspeed and altitude. The pilot performed a forced landing to a flat, muddy wheat field, resulting in substantial damage.

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. There was no evidence of fuel at the accident site or in the airplane. During the recovery of the airplane from the field, no fuel was found in the three intact fuel tanks nor in any of the engine fuel lines. The pilot later stated that he ran the airplane out of fuel.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN21LA302 for the full record.