Piper PA-30 N8143Y accident near Meridian, Mississippi

Probable cause

The total loss of power to both engines due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to verify the airplane’s fuel quantity before departure.

NTSB analysis

The pilot instructed the fixed base operator line crew to top off the main tanks and fill the auxiliary tanks to ½ inch gap from the top of the tank. The pilot reported that he did not open the fuel caps to verify the fuel level. The flight departed with the pilot believing that sufficient fuel was onboard to complete the flight with an adequate reserve. Near the destination airport, the left engine began surging and subsequently lost power. The pilot's attempts to restore engine power, including the use of the auxiliary fuel tanks and electric fuel pump, were unsuccessful. Shortly thereafter, the right engine also began surging and lost power.

After determining that the airplane could not reach the destination airport, the pilot conducted a forced landing to a pasture. During the landing rollout, the airplane collided with trees, resulting in substantial damage to both wings and the empennage.

The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation of either engine.

In the accident report the pilot emphasized the importance of physically verifying fuel quantity before each flight, and reliance solely on assumptions regarding fuel quantity may increase the risk of fuel-related incidents.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA225 for the full record.