Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35; Flight Crew Total 7500; Flight Crew Type 700
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
Departed with fuel 100-125 gallons (I thought). I added 60 gallons and aircraft fuel gauges indicated 50 at [my departure airport]. Flight time for IFR filing estimated to be 1:43 which included a 15 KT headwind. Departure uneventful leveled at 14;000 - reduced fuel flow and encountered a mixture control that would only reduce fuel flow to 23.5 GPH. Normal fuel burn 19.5/20.5 GPH. Approximately 20 minutes from planned landing fuel totalizer showed 20 gallons needed to complete flight. Aircraft gauges showed 20/25 left/right remaining. Right engine failed first attempted to cross feed and within a few minutes left engine started losing power and then both shut down. Lessons:First; never trust aircraft fuel gauges until it is determined the exact readings.Secondly; adjust flight profile when normal limits are exceeded. Lastly; if any doubt -land as soon as possible and take corrective action. Flying for 50 years and never thought I would run out of fuel but I was advised by a retired FAA employee to file this report. Even though it said it is not intended for accidents. Reports have been made to FAA and NTSB.
The Reporter stated that both tanks were just below the yellow quantity caution when the engines quit at which time he assumed meant he had 40 gallons total on board. He was talking with his destination airport Tower Controller when the second engine fail so he attempted to land at a nearby CTAF airport; but landed just short of that airport's closest runway. He decided at the approach to stall shudder he had better get the aircraft on the ground. He was not injured even though the aircraft was damaged.
A B60 pilot reported an off airport landing after both engines shutdown in flight because of fuel starvation even though his fuel quantity system indicated fuel on board.