Accident Overview
Chicago & Southern Airlines, Inc., Flight 804 crashed at approximately 1220 central daylight time while executing an instrument approach to the Greater Peoria Airport in Peoria, Illinois. The aircraft was carrying 16 persons, all of whom received fatal injuries.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft first made contact with powerlines crossing the VOR Runway 12 final approach course, about 2 miles west of the airport. The powerlines were supported by two towers, each carrying four sets of cables. The easterly tower stood at an elevation of 681 feet mean sea level. The lower cables were positioned 65 feet above the ground at the point of contact. After striking the wires, the aircraft hit the ground, bounced, and slid into the base of a large hedgewood tree located 152 feet from the initial wire contact. The wreckage path was oriented at 050° magnetic. Most of the aircraft structure came to rest at the base of the tree. An intense fire ensued, nearly completely destroying the cockpit and cabin area of the fuselage. All 16 occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was that the pilot knowingly descended below the Minimum Descent Altitude in an attempt to complete the approach by means of visual reference to ground objects. Because of minimal visibility and low clouds in the approach zone, the aircraft was operated at an altitude too low to provide clearance over the powerlines.