Terrain collision near departure airport involving two-person crew

2 fatalities • Mount Ida, United States of America • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft crashed into rising terrain approximately seven minutes after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of both occupants.

What happened

Shortly after departing from the airport, which sits at an elevation of 643 feet msl, the aircraft entered a cloud layer at an altitude of roughly 200 feet. Approximately seven minutes into the flight, the plane struck terrain located about 3 miles from the departure airfield. The impact occurred at an elevation of 1,100 feet msl, which is below the local maximum terrain height of 1,400 feet msl. Witnesses at the scene noted that the hills situated to the southeast were obscured by low cloud cover at the time of the incident.

Findings

  • The aircraft was operating in conditions with low visibility due to cloud cover.
  • The pilot had reportedly achieved only about 4 hours of sleep prior to the flight.
  • The accident resulted in 2 fatalities.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck terrain while flying in obscured conditions following a period of pilot fatigue.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1993-05-01 Beechcraft 90 King Air accident near Mount Ida, United States of America?

An aircraft crashed into rising terrain approximately seven minutes after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of both occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 1993-05-01 Beechcraft 90 King Air accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-05-01 involved a Beechcraft 90 King Air, registration N530N, operated by Arkansas Flight Management, at Mount Ida, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck terrain while flying in obscured conditions following a period of pilot fatigue.

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