What happened
The aircraft was operating under instrument flight rules when it approached the destination airport. Approximately twelve miles south of the final approach fix (FAF), Flight 1808 received clearance for an ILS runway 4 approach. About three minutes later, air traffic control noted that the aircraft was tracking east of the localizer course. The controller asked if the flight was receiving the ILS localizer signal. The captain replied that they had not yet intercepted it.
The controller instructed the crew to turn left to heading 340, noting that the aircraft was slightly right of the course. Approximately forty-five seconds later, as the aircraft crossed the localizer at the FAF with a large intercept angle, the captain acknowledged receiving the signal. However, the aircraft continued past the FAF at a relatively fast speed while descending very slowly.
The aircraft continued left of the localizer, then crossed back to the right and went above, then below the glide slope. Subsequently, the aircraft hit trees 4007 feet short and 440 feet right of the runway.
The investigation
No preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. Previous investigations revealed that the Beechcraft 99 aircraft had a cockpit noise level of up to 97 decibels. Evidence indicated that crew coordination was not consistently practiced among company crewmembers during routine operations. Overall experience levels of company pilots were reduced by turnover.
Findings
Air traffic control surveillance was affected adversely by lack of manpower. The combination of high cockpit noise, inconsistent crew coordination, and controller workload contributed to the mishap.