What happened
During a local training mission conducted at RAF Newton, the aircraft was on its final approach when it encountered challenging meteorological conditions. After descending through the final cloud layer at approximately 200 feet, the pilot managed to locate the runway briefly. However, due to the presence of scattered fog, the runway became obscured from view.
In response to the loss of visual contact with the landing strip, the pilot initiated a go-around maneuver. As the aircraft began its climb, it experienced a stall, leading to a high-impact crash and a subsequent large explosion. The accident resulted in six fatalities and left one crew member with serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident highlighted several critical elements. A significant contributing factor identified was that the aircraft's total weight exceeded its maximum allowable landing weight. This overweight condition is believed to have played a role in the aerodynamic failure during the climb phase.