Narrative
The flight was planned as a 15-minute IFR flight from Rome, Georgia, to Huntsville, Alabama. Takeoff occurred at 0937 Eastern Standard Time, with the copilot handling the controls. After a VFR takeoff, the captain contacted Atlanta Center to request an IFR clearance. The controller informed the crew of other traffic in the area and instructed them to remain VFR while an IFR clearance was being arranged. At that time, the flight reported being at 1,300 feet in VFR conditions.
While awaiting the clearance, the crew expressed concern about higher terrain and low ceilings. At approximately 0940, the captain directed the copilot to fly "back to the right." About one minute later, the cockpit voice recorder stopped recording, and radio contact with the aircraft was lost.
The aircraft was subsequently found after colliding with the top of Mount Lavender. The elevation of the crash site was approximately 1,580 feet mean sea level. The aircraft was not equipped with a ground proximity warning system. All nine occupants were killed, among them Angelo J. Bruno, chairman of Bruno's Inc.; his brother, Lee J. Bruno, vice chairman; Sam A. Vacarella, senior vice president for merchandising; Edward C. Hyde, vice president for store operations; and R. Randolph Page Jr., vice president for personnel.
Probable Cause
The captain's decision to initiate visual flight into an area of known mountainous terrain and low ceilings and the failure of the flightcrew to maintain awareness of their proximity to the terrain.