20071109828049A

(-23) The aircraft departed roseburg, or enroute to carlsbad, CA on an IFR flight plan. Prior to departure, the pilot had the airplane topped off with fuel while it was parked on a ramp with a pronounced angle (the left wing was approx 14" lower than the right and this might have prevented filling the left and fuselage tanks). Enroute at FL210, the pilot changed destination to bakersfield, CA for a fuel stop. As the aircraft approached bakersfield, the pilot advised bfl approach that he had a fuel problem. A short time later he declared an emergency and stated his engine was "sputtering." There were no further communications with ATC and the airplane was observed to disappear from radar. A witness working as a foreman at an agricultural facility observed the aircraft flying on a southeasterly heading at an altitude of a few hundred feet with its wings rocking followed by it entering a steep right bank and descending at a steep altitude into an orange grove. The location of the accident was approximately 2 miles nw of poso famoso airport. Examination of the wreckage indicated that neither engine was making power and there was no evidence of fuel in the 3 tanks.