Accident Overview
On a night cargo flight from New York-LaGuardia Airport to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a twin-engine airplane encountered poor weather conditions. While cruising, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed on a mountain near Troxelville, Pennsylvania. The pilot, sole occupant on board, was killed. The wreckage was found three days later. At the time of the accident, visibility was reduced due to foggy conditions, and weather was poor with icing conditions.
Contributing Factors
The official probable cause was determined as an uncontrolled descent and subsequent collision with ground after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. Contributing factors included improper in-flight decisions, ice on the propeller, ice on the airframe, icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain, an improperly loaded aircraft, inoperative deicing equipment and anti-icing system, and visibility of two miles or less.