Accident Overview
An airplane en route from Berkeley Springs to Charleston experienced a dual engine failure while in normal cruise flight. The crew initiated an emergency landing but lost control of the aircraft. The airplane subsequently crashed and was destroyed upon impact, resulting in fatal injuries to both occupants.
Engine Failure and Emergency Response
During the cruise phase of the flight, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew's decision to perform an emergency landing was interrupted when control of the aircraft was lost. The exact sequence of events after the loss of control was not detailed in the investigation.
Fuel Exhaustion and Contributing Factors
The official investigation identified the probable cause as an uncontrolled descent following a double engine failure caused by fuel exhaustion. Several contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation: The crew did not adequately prepare for the flight, leading to insufficient fuel management.
- Mismanagement of fuel: Improper fuel management practices contributed to the exhaustion.
- Fuel exhaustion: The engines stopped due to a lack of fuel.
- Failure to maintain flying speed: After engine failure, the crew did not maintain adequate airspeed, leading to loss of control.
- Failure to provide adequate directives, manuals, or equipment: Operational guidance or equipment may have been insufficient.
- Fuel gauge inaccuracy: The fuel gauge read approximately 10 gallons high, providing misleading information.
- Failure to use positive method for checking fuel: The crew did not employ a reliable method to verify fuel quantity.
Aircraft and Impact
The aircraft was destroyed in the crash. The impact site and post-crash conditions were not further described. No information on the aircraft type, registration, or operator was provided in the source.