What happened
The accident occurred during nighttime operations in a rugged, mountainous environment. The impact site was located approximately two statute miles east of the intended destination airport. This area presented significant terrain challenges, with elevations rising roughly 600 feet above the airfield level.
The destination facility was unattended and lacked essential lighting infrastructure; specifically, the single available runway was not lighted, complicating visual approaches in low-light conditions. According to the sole surviving passenger, the crew had indicated that a landing was imminent. Shortly thereafter, the sounds of the aircraft striking trees were heard, confirming the loss of controlled flight into terrain.
The investigation
Investigation efforts focused on the crash site and the condition of the unattended airport. Key findings highlighted the lack of runway lighting at the destination and the steep topography surrounding the area. The absence of visual references for the pilot during the final approach phase was a critical factor in the sequence of events.
Findings
The primary contributing factors included the decision to continue an approach into unlighted conditions at night and the challenging mountainous terrain near the airport. The lack of runway lighting at the unattended facility significantly increased the risk of spatial disorientation or controlled flight into terrain.