Aero Commander 500 Series
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 300; Flight Crew Total 8500; Flight Crew Type 300
Human-Machine Interface; Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft; Human Factors
On preflight of AC50 60 gallons fuel showed on gauge; previous flight in aircraft was 3.6 from a 5 hour fuel supply. Aircraft holds 159 gallons total with an estimated fuel burn of 30 GPH from POH and this coincided with fuel gauge. No other way to verify fuel. [We] took off from ZZZ to an uncontrolled airport then back to ZZZ. Approximate flight time 45 minutes had fuel exhaustion 2 NM from ZZZ. After 0.6 hour flight gauge showed 56 gallons on board. [We] executed off airport landing on dirt road. No injuries or damage to aircraft. Mechanic verified fuel exhaustion and we refueled to 45 gallons. Took off and flew directly to ZZZ approximate flight of 4 minutes. Possible reasons for fuel exhaustion. Improper leaning on 3.6 hours flight and improper fueling techniques; fuel gauge not working correctly. All pilots will note gauge indication prior to fueling verifying accuracy of gauge.
AC50 pilot experiences fuel exhaustion four minutes short of his destination and lands on a dirt road. Fuel gauge showed 56 gallons with empty tanks and fuel consumption estimates indicated nearly one more hour of fuel available.