Hatch, NM, USA
N3700G
Cessna 310R
The pilot stated that during the flight the left engine lost power. The pilot stated that he did not switch fuel tanks. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing in the desert. During the landing the right wing impacted "high vegetation," resulting in substantial damage. A visual inspection revealed that the auxiliary fuel tanks were empty. An examination of the airplane’s systems revealed no anomalies.
According to the pilot, twenty minutes into the flight the left engine lost power. The pilot stated that he did not switch fuel tanks. Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center gave the pilot vectors to Hatch Municipal Airport, Hatch, New Mexico. He realized that he would not make it to the airport and elected to perform a forced landing in the desert. During the landing the right wing struck "high vegetation." The right wing spar was crushed aft and the right tip tank separated. After landing the pilot moved the fuel selector valve to the off position; he did not state what the original position was. The FAA stated that the auxiliary fuel tanks were empty. Fuel leaked from the tip of the right wing, and evidence of fuel was confirmed in the left fuel tank, but was not measured. An examination of the remaining airplane systems, conducted by the FAA, reveal no anomalies.
The pilot's inattentiveness to the fuel flow and fuel selector valve position resulting in fuel starvation. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to follow proper engine failure procedures, and the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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