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March 1, 2013, Broomfield, Colo., Aero Commander 500-B

At about 1545 Central time, the airplane experienced a loss of power to both engines after takeoff and its pilot performed a gear-up forced landing to a golf course. The airline transport pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.

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Key Takeaways:

  • A twin-engine airplane experienced a dual engine power loss shortly after takeoff, resulting in a gear-up forced landing on a golf course with no injuries but substantial damage.
  • The engine failures occurred sequentially after the pilot turned off the electric boost pumps, with the left engine failing first, followed by the right.
  • The primary cause of the incident was critically low fuel, despite the preflight fuel gauge indicating 65 gallons; only approximately half a gallon of fuel was recovered after the incident.
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At about 1545 Central time, the airplane experienced a loss of power to both engines after takeoff and its pilot performed a gear-up forced landing to a golf course. The airline transport pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed.

According to the pilot, the takeoff and initial climb were normal. After setting cruise power, the pilot turned off the left engine electric boost pump and confirmed normal pressure from the engine-driven fuel pump. As he performed the same procedure for the right engine, the left one began surging and lost power. The pilot executed an immediate left turn towards the airport and contacted ATC with intentions to perform a single-engine, straight-in approach for landing. Immediately thereafter, the right engine began to surge and also partially lost power. The pilot immediately declared an emergency and determined that he had insufficient engine power and altitude to return. The pilot executed a no-flap landing on the golf course fairway. The fuselage structure, forward of wing attach point, was crushed and vertical deformation was noted throughout the length of the fuselage.

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