What happened
During a cargo transport mission originating in Kingston and destined for Tampa, an aircraft was cruising along the Florida west coast when the pilot reported an engine fire to air traffic control. In response to the emergency, the crew decided to divert the flight to Sarasota-Bradenton Airport.
As the aircraft approached the airfield, the pilot determined that the plane could not reach the runway. Consequently, an emergency landing was performed in a nearby prairie. Upon impact, the aircraft traveled several dozen yards before being consumed by flames. The pilot managed to exit the wreckage without any injuries, but the entire aircraft was destroyed during the post-impact fire.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that an engine fire occurred during the cruise phase of flight, which necessitated a precautionary landing away from the intended airport. The pilot performed a wheels-down landing in the field. While investigators noted a white-colored fire following the impact, the specific origin or nature of that secondary fire could not be established.