What happened
At 2232 EDT, the aircraft was in a climb toward 15,000 feet when the pilot reported seeing a low oil pressure warning light. Air traffic control suggested Jimmy Stewart Field as a potential diversion point, located approximately 15 miles away at an 11:30 bearing. When the pilot inquired whether that airport had an operating tower, controllers indicated uncertainty and instead directed attention to Westmoreland County Airport, situated at two o'clock and roughly 15 miles distant. The crew was instructed to turn right 180 degrees and descend to maintain 4,000 feet.
By 2233 EDT, air traffic control advised that the tower at Westmoreland County appeared to be closed. As the pilot considered options, controllers noted that Pittsburgh International Airport was 35 miles away, should the aircraft have the range to reach it. At 2234:35 EDT, while returning toward Pittsburgh, the pilot reported zero oil pressure alongside an illuminated oil warning light.
At 2237:27 EDT, the pilot declared an emergency. The flight was cleared to land at Allegheny County Airport, with Monroeville Airport noted as being five miles away on a 230-degree heading. The aircraft crashed at 2247 EDT.
The investigation
Examination of the wreckage revealed that a flange nut on the left turbocharger feed line was loose and had only been finger-tightened. Laboratory testing confirmed that this condition produced a steady oil leak. Upon inspection of the crash site, oil was found covering the bottom of the fuselage and empennage.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was total loss of engine oil pressure due to a mechanical failure in the turbocharger system. The aircraft was unable to maintain flight following the leak, resulting in a forced landing attempt that ended in a crash.