What happened
A cargo flight traveling from Charlotte toward Youngstown experienced mechanical issues while at cruising altitude. The pilot identified problems with the engine and decided to divert the aircraft to Charleston-Kanawha Airport for an emergency descent.
Upon receiving clearance to land, the pilot began the descent process. During this phase of flight, the aircraft type became uncontrollable and struck the ground, resulting in a post-impact fire. The single occupant of the aircraft type, the pilot, was killed in the accident. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several contributing elements to the loss of control. It was determined that the pilot attempted to continue the flight leg despite being aware of a significant oil leak involving the lubrication system's lines, hoses, and fittings.
Additional factors included:
- Improper execution of IFR procedures
- Pilot fatigue, as the crew member had been on duty since 0730 local time
- Low cloud ceilings at the time of the accident
- The pilot's decision to operate the aircraft with known equipment deficiencies