NTSB Factual Report

According to the pilot of the twin-engine airplane, he was descended from 7,000 ft. and leveled off at 3,000 ft. After leveling off, the fuel quantity indicators fluctuated then showed empty. He recalled that about 5 minutes after leveling off, the right engine began to run very rough, so he enriched the right engine's mixture, and activated the auxiliary fuel pump. Subsequently, "the right engine failed and the left engine simultaneously began losing power". The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control, began receiving vectors, and the left engine lost power.

The pilot pitched the airplane for best glide distance. He selected the nearest suitable landing area, extended the landing gear and flaps, and landed the airplane in a field. During the landing roll, he turned the airplane to the right to avoid a collision with obstacles, the nose landing gear bounced several times and separated from the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage bulkheads, longerons and stringers.

The pilot believed that due to his failure to visually check the fuel level, he overestimated the amount of fuel on board.

The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to ensure that adequate fuel was onboard for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.