Departure and Initial Climb
Flight 3379 departed Greensboro at 18:03 with a slight delay due to baggage rearrangement. The aircraft climbed to a cruising altitude of 9,000 feet. At 18:14, the flight contacted Raleigh approach control and received instructions to reduce speed to 180 knots and descend to 6,000 feet.
Approach and Engine Indication
At 18:25, the flight contacted Raleigh final radar control and was instructed to reduce speed to 170 knots and descend to 3,000 feet. At 18:30, the flight was advised to turn left and join the localizer course at or above 2,100 feet for a runway 05L ILS approach. Shortly after receiving clearance to land, the No. 1 engine ignition light illuminated in the cockpit. This occurred as a result of a momentary negative torque condition when the propeller speed levers were advanced to 100% and the power levers were at flight idle.
Missed Approach and Stall
The captain suspected an engine flameout and eventually decided to execute a missed approach. The aircraft's speed had decreased to 122 knots, and two momentary stall warnings sounded as the pilot called for maximum power. The aircraft was in a left turn at 1,800 feet, and the speed continued to decrease to 103 knots, followed by stall warnings. The rate of descent then increased rapidly to more than 10,000 feet per minute.
Crash
The aircraft eventually struck trees and crashed about 4 nautical miles southwest of the runway 05L threshold. Five passengers survived; 15 other occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The accident was the consequence of the following factors: - The captain's improper assumption that an engine had failed, - The captain's subsequent failure to follow approved procedures for engine failure single-engine approach and go-around, and stall recovery, - Failure of AMR Eagle/Flagship management to identify, document, monitor and remedy deficiencies in pilot performance and training.