Originally Posted by
IO540
I wonder if he had a GPS-linked fuel totaliser.
If not, that's a very brave pilot, relying on the gauges in that old heap and the POH figures.
I think it unlikely that he relied on the POH figures, although like Pilot DAR I can
personally relate my experience as to the accuracy of the post 1971 capacitance type fuel gauges fitted to twin Cessna's as I have considerable experience flying the type. The owner of the 340 I occasionally fly just checked the gauges on the aux tank. The gauges showed 30 pounds remaining. Draining the tanks and weighing the fuel resulted in readings of 29.5 pounds and 30.1 pounds.
I think it is much more likely to be a pilot decision making accident. He probably launched with a considerable head wind which was scheduled to diminish, a not unusual situation at this time of the year, ....but did not and he paid the price.
While you are , by virtue of considerable experience, qualified to comment on the operation of a Trinidad in domestic eurocontrol airspace, I would suggest you have very little experience in the reality of transoceanic ferrying operations, and should therefore comment (or not) accordingly.......
The bottom line is he was in a very ugly place and pulled off a text book ditching manoever