Accident Overview
The flight was cleared for the runway five approach at Birmingham Airport. Current weather information, including the altimeter setting, had been issued to the crew. No mechanical problems were reported, and the flight appeared normal.
Approach and Impact
The last radar contact showed the aircraft at 1,300 feet early in the approach. The minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the approach was 1,260 feet. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed approximately four miles southwest of the airport. Impact occurred with the tops of trees in a valley that lies about 200 feet below the airport elevation of 699 feet.
Wreckage and Investigation
Wreckage was scattered over a 350-foot area. Diagonal slash marks were found on tree limbs throughout the impact area. Investigators found no preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft.