THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot ran out of fuel during his approach to runway 04 at Cumberland Regional Airport (KSRB) runway 04 and did attempt to stretch his glide, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and spin. The entire wreckage was located in a very small circle located 1.45 miles short of runway 04. The weather at the time of the overcast was 2500 overcast, visibility 10. The crash site wreckage is now confirmed to be a very small area with a near vertical flight path, indicating a stall, spin impact. Local persons at the scene have reported no fire and no fuel odor in the wreckage, indicating an out of fuel glide. One ground witness reported hearing the engine cut in and out before the crash. The NTSB preliminary report indicates a catastrophic internal engine failure due to an apparent broken rod which was found in examination, but could not be determined if the fracture occurred during impact or prior to the impact. The flight had departed KSRB and had flown to KEET, where two persons were boarded. Airport personnel report that no fuel was added at this stop. The total straight line distance between the two airports was 367 nautical miles, and should have been possible if the accident pilot had left with full fuel tanks from KSRB. The fuel status at the time of departure is unknown at this time, but likely departed KSRB with 25 total gallons on board or less.