Accident Sequence
The pilots were conducting a visual approach at night to runway 10 from a right downwind. While on final approach, the airplane descended through a scud layer and initially contacted the ground well short of the runway. In response, the pilot pitched the nose up and applied full power. However, as the airplane continued, one main landing gear separated after striking the side of a hill located below the runway elevation. The airplane then rolled inverted and impacted the runway threshold in an inverted attitude.
Aircraft Damage and Fire
After impacting the threshold while inverted, the aircraft slid across the grass and onto an adjacent taxiway. A substantial external fire ensued, indicating significant damage to the airframe.
Casualties
Both pilots and one passenger were killed in the accident. The passenger who died was identified as Joseph T. Nall, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board. Four other passengers survived the crash, sustaining various injuries.
Investigation Note
No probable cause has been assigned to this event in the available source material.