What happened
While operating a flight from Barstow toward Lake City, the pilot of a twin engine airplane contacted air traffic control to report that the right engine had ceased functioning. In response to this emergency, the pilot was granted permission to divert the aircraft to Gainesville Airport.
During the final approach phase, the aircraft encountered low visibility conditions caused by fog. While maneuvering in these conditions, the plane struck several electronic towers and impacted a field, resulting in a post-crash fire. There were three fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several critical contributing factors related to both environmental conditions and mechanical maintenance. The crash occurred during a period of low ceilings and fog, with visibility restricted to two miles or less.
Technical inspections revealed significant issues within the fuel and lubrication systems. Specifically, the right fuel filter element was found to be missing, while the left filter contained a small amount of debris. Additionally, the main oil screens were noted to be abnormally dirty. The investigation also highlighted failures in aircraft maintenance and inspection protocols, as well as the pilot's inability to detect and avoid obstacles during the descent. The primary mechanical failure was attributed to a powerplant failure for reasons that remained undetermined.