Primary finding
Probable cause
Pilot's failure to refuel and fuel exhaustion. Factors were a fuel leak in the wing and unsuitable terrain
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During a missed approach the airplane lost power to both engines. The pilot selected the only area available to land. The terrain was marked by trees, fences, and rising terrain. Prior to the missed approach the airplane had landed at another airport in the same town. The purpose of the flight was to ferry the airplane to a facility to repair a fuel leak in the wing
Source record
Factual narrative
On February 10, 1993, at approximately 1645 central standard time (CST) a Swearingen SA 26AT, N34UA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to unsuitable terrain. The Airline Transport Rated pilot, who was also the owner, was not injured during the visual flight rules flight. During a telephonic interview conducted by the investigator in charge, the pilot provided the following information. He had arrived at the Ardmore Downtown Executive Airport (1F0), Ardmore, Oklahoma, for the purpose of having aircraft maintenance performed, a fuel leak in the wing. He stated that he was told that the repair facility was at the other airport in Ardmore. He departed 1F0 for the Ardmore Municipal Airport (ARD), Ardmore, Oklahoma. As he approached ARD he realized that a localized fog bank had covered the airport, he requested and received clearance to conduct an instrument landing system (ILS) approach, however, he never gained visual recognition of the runway and executed a missed approach. He followed the published missed approach procedures and was climbing to 3,000 feet when the right engine lost power and, shortly thereafter, the left engine lost power. A forced landing was made to a field that was marked with trees, fences, and rising terrain. During the touchdown, with the gear retracted, the airplane struck a line of trees and sheared portions of the wing tips. During an interview conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, in Ardmore, Oklahoma, the pilot stated he ran out of gas. An examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector and a certified mechanic revealed that there was no usable fuel in either of the wing cells. The airplane was released to the owner following an examination of the maintenance records by the investigator in charge. -