What happened
During a flight near Philipsburg, the aircraft experienced a critical mechanical issue when one of its engines ceased functioning. This failure occurred while the plane was en route to its destination. In response to the loss of power, the crew determined that an emergency bailout was necessary to ensure their safety.
Following the abandonment of the aircraft, the plane continued on its trajectory and struck the ground in a mountainous area situated approximately four miles northeast of Philipsburg. The impact with the terrain resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. Despite the severity of the crash, search and rescue operations successfully located all 12 occupants, who were brought to safety without reported fatalities.
Findings
Investigations into the incident concluded that the primary factor leading to the emergency was an engine failure during the flight.