Cessna CE-402B | N7875E

The DTSB determines the Probable cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot was not fully aware of where the available fuel was located. The flight was conducted with minimum fuel, but the right engine lost power and the pilot failed to switch to the tank containing fuel. The pilot then likely selected the crossfeed to the ON position, which did allow both engines to run until both engines quit at the same time, after having exhausted all fuel from the existing tank configuration. The aircraft was stalled in an attempt to stretch the glide, whereupon it impacted into the water in a nose low, left wing low attitude. The left wing and engine were separated from the airframe just outside of the fuselage.

The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become familiar with all fuel systems of the aircraft to be flown, and that a sufficient supply and backup is readily available. The DTSB recommends that all operators of Cessna 300 and 400 series aircraft be especially vigilant in defining which tanks are main tanks, and which are axillary. This pilot likely thought that the tip tanks were considered the auxiliary tanks, and added 20 gallons to each inboard tank prior to flight, thinking that he had added fuel to the mains. On this aircraft, the inboards are auxiliary tanks. This pilot requested that 20.0 gallons of fuel be added to the inboards, and yet flew off the tips. The DTSB recommends that pilots always be present during FBO fueling of aircraft to ensure proper type, grade, quantity, and tank location of fuel added prior to each flight.