Primary finding
Probable cause
Poor in-flight planning/decision by the cfi resulting in the total loss of engine power from both engines due to fuel exhaustion.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pvt-rated student received a wx briefing before the flt & was advised that fog was forecast to exist at the destination at the estimated time of arrival. The estimated time en route was 3 hrs with 4 hrs of fuel on board. The flt departed at 2027. The flt was cleared for an ils approach & the cfi let the student fly part of the approach but took control & performed a missed approach at minimums. The flight was cleared for another ils apch which terminated with a missed apch. The flt then requested clearance to a nearby arpt. The flt was cleared for an ils apch, & when it was inbound on the final approach, the tower controller was advised that an engine quit and they were 'outta fuel.' the airplane was then ditched near a bridge & all occupants exited the airplane before it sank. The airplane was recovered 5 days after the accident & the fuel tanks were drained which revealed the lt tank did not contain any fuel. The rt fuel tank contained about 8 ounces of fuel. The accident occurred at 0012, approximately 3 hrs 45 minutes after takeoff.
Source record
Factual narrative
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