Private American

According the commercial pilot and a flight instructor rated check pilot, they were conducting their first long-duration, aerial observation flight in the multiengine airplane, which was recently acquired by the operator. They departed with full fuel tanks, competed the 5-hour aerial observation portion of the flight, and began to return to the destination airport. About 15 miles from the airport, the left engine fuel warning light illuminated. Within a few seconds, the right engine stopped producing power. They attempted to restart the engine and turned the airplane toward an alternate airport that was closer. The pilots then turned on the electric fuel pump, the right engine began surging, and soon after the left engine stopped producing power. They turned both electric fuel pumps to the low setting, both engines continued to surge, and the pilots continued toward the alternate airport. When they were about 3 miles from the airport, both engines lost total power, and they elected to land on a highway. When they were a few feet above the ground, power returned briefly to the left engine, which resulted in the airplane climbing and beginning to roll. The commercial pilot pulled the yoke aft to avoid a highway sign, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, and subsequent impact with trees and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Although both pilots reported the fuel gauges indicated 20 gallons of fuel remaining on each side when the engines stopped producing power, the flight instructor noted that there was no fuel in the airplane at the time of the accident. In addition, according to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who responded to the accident site, both fuel tanks were breached and there was no evidence of fuel spillage.

The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a wooded area located near La Libertad and was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. Both pilots were killed. Guatemalan Authorities reported the aircraft was engaged in a contraband mission and a load of 762 kilos of cocaine was found.

The crew was completing an illegal flight between Venezuela and Honduras. En route, the airplane was traced by Honduran and Guatemalan Authorities and the crew eventually completed a belly landing in Palajuyú, in the region of Sipacate, Guatemala. Law enforcement officers were fired upon arrival and the occupants left the crash site and were not found. The aircraft was destroyed. An important load of contraband was found on board.