What happened
During a regional cargo operation, the flight crew reported an active fire occurring inside the cockpit to air traffic control. In response to the emergency, the aircraft was authorized to divert to Salisbury-Rowan County Airport for an unplanned landing.
As the aircraft progressed through its approach to the runway, it became uncontrollable. The aircraft type crashed into the ground while fully engulfed in flames, occurring several dozen miles before reaching the destination airfield. The accident resulted in one fatality among the crew members and left both the pilot and a passenger with serious injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified an in-flight fire located at the rear of the instrument panel as a primary factor. While the fire was confirmed, investigators were unable to pinpoint the specific source of ignition.