Accident Details
The crew began their descent to Greenville Airport under poor weather conditions with fog and limited visibility. On final approach, the pilot-in-command descended below the glide path and below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) of 2,200 feet. This descent was likely an attempt to establish visual contact with the ground. The airplane continued descending to an altitude of 1,400 feet, where it struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located a few miles short of the runway. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in the deaths of all six occupants.
Contributing Factors
According to the official investigation, the following factors were reported: high obstructions in the area, low ceiling and fog, the descent below the MDA of 2,200 feet, the impact with trees at 1,400 feet, and witness reports that the hillside was shrouded in fog about halfway up.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was improper IFR operation on the part of the crew.