November 17, 2011, Ulysses, Penn., Beech 95-C55 Baron

The airplane was substantially damaged at about 1619 Eastern time during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power. The airline transport pilot and three passengers were seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. The airplane was in cruise flight at 8000 feet msl when the pilot requested a descent to 6000 feet due to turbulence and rime icing. The pilot then switched both engines from auxiliary to main fuel tanks. Shortly, the left engine began to surge.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

An airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and sustained substantial damage, seriously injuring the pilot and three passengers, during a forced landing.
The engine power loss was caused by the pilot switching fuel tanks, leading both engines to surge and eventually fail.
After descending through clouds over mountainous terrain, the pilot intentionally stalled the airplane into a garage when other landing options were unavailable, and despite a post-crash fire, all occupants successfully egressed.

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The airplane was in cruise flight at 8000 feet msl when the pilot requested a descent to 6000 feet due to turbulence and rime icing. The pilot then switched both engines from auxiliary to main fuel tanks. Shortly, the left engine began to surge. As the pilot attempted to restore the left engine to full power, the right engine surged. As the pilot performed remedial actions to restore power to the right engine, the left engine stopped producing power. Within seconds, the right engine stopped producing power.