Approach Procedure
The pilots were conducting a Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) approach to an uncontrolled airport located at an elevation of 941 feet mean sea level (MSL). The NDB was situated 1.8 nautical miles from the airport. The procedure required the pilots to maintain a minimum descent altitude (MDA) of 1,540 feet MSL until the runway environment was in sight.
Accident Sequence
Prior to the accident, air traffic control (ATC) had informed the pilots that they were 15 miles from the airport. Approximately four miles from the airport, the airplane impacted the top of a hill at an elevation of 990 feet MSL. The impact and subsequent post-impact fire demolished the airplane.
Weather and Altimeter Information
The weather conditions at the time were estimated as 300 feet overcast with one mile visibility. No mechanical malfunctions were reported or discovered during the investigation. The lack of a local altimeter setting increased the required MDA by 240 feet, meaning the pilots had to descend to a higher altitude than would have been necessary with a local setting.