What happened
During a descent toward Burbank Airport, the twin engine aircraft encountered low visibility conditions caused by rainfall. While navigating through the Newhall pass, the plane descended to an altitude lower than the surrounding mountainous terrain. The aircraft struck treetops, resulting in the loss of both wings. After traveling approximately one hundred meters, the damaged airframe collided with a stony wall and came to rest in wooded and hilly terrain near Rice Canyon, located two miles southwest of Newhall.
The accident resulted in fatal injuries for all 12 occupants on board. The crew consisted of the pilot, co-pilot, and one stewardess. The remaining nine individuals were passengers traveling with the flight.
Findings
The official Accident Board concluded that the crash was primarily caused by a navigational error. The pilot attempted to traverse the Newhall pass at an altitude insufficient to clear the surrounding mountains. Crucially, this decision was made without first using radio communications to verify the existing weather conditions and visibility limits.