Primary finding
Probable cause
Inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot said that he noted 10 gallons on 'each side' prior to initiating an approach. He said that about five minutes later the left engine lost power and about three minutes after that the right engine also sustained a loss of power. The damage to the airplane occurred during an undershoot to the intended runway. Emergency response individuals found no usable fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks. The pilot said that the accident might have been prevented by, 'Visual inspection of all fuel tank with calibrated device.'
Source record
Factual narrative
On December 8, 1997, at 2118 central standard time, a Cessna 402A, N728QA, operating as Freight Runner Flight 1539, sustained substantial damage when it undershot a landing on runway 19R (9,690' X 200' dry/concrete) at General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The pilot reported no injuries. The pilot reported engine trouble to Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control during the approach to landing. Emergency response individuals to the accident found no usable fuel in the airplane fuel tanks. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was operating on an IFR flight plan in instrument meteorological conditions. The last departure point was Madison, Wisconsin, at 2010. In his written statement the pilot stated that prior to initiating the approach, the indication was that 10 gallons remained on "each side." This was about 5 minutes prior to the loss of power on the left engine which was followed about 3 minutes later by loss of power on the right engine. The pilot said that the accident might have been prevented by, "Visual inspection of all fuel tank with calibrated device." -