What happened
While performing a takeoff roll at Cedar Rapids Airport, the flight crew lost command of the aircraft type (not specified). The movement resulted in a ground loop where the plane swerved across the airfield. Following this loss of control, the aircraft crashed and subsequently erupted into flames. There were two fatalities involving both pilots on board.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several environmental and human factors that contributed to the crash. The runway surface was covered in snow and approximately two inches of slush, which created poor running conditions. Additionally, visibility was reduced to less than two miles due to fog, and unfavorable wind conditions were present. The airframe was also noted to have ice accumulation.
Regarding the crew, the investigation concluded that a failure to maintain directional control and a failure to abort the takeoff attempt were critical. A primary contributing factor was the physical and cognitive impairment of the pilot due to alcohol consumption, with a recorded blood alcohol level of 0.35‰.