What happened
During a scheduled cargo operation traveling from Indianapolis to South Bend, the crew of a twin engine airplane encountered a critical emergency. While maintaining cruising altitude, the pilot notified air traffic control regarding a fire that had ignited within the cabin area.
In an attempt to manage the situation, the pilot initiated a descent to a lower altitude. Shortly after this maneuver, the aircraft made contact with treetops and crashed into a heavily wooded section of the Argos region. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire that consumed the airframe. There was one fatality involving the pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the accident.
Findings
Official investigations into the wreckage identified several key factors regarding the emergency. The fire was confirmed to have spread through multiple sections of the aircraft, specifically affecting the cockpit, the cabin, and the baggage compartment. Additionally, investigators noted the presence of high obstructions in the flight path that contributed to the impact during the descent.