Incident Overview
While cruising at altitude on a flight from Pittsfield to Morristown, the pilot informed air traffic control about an in-flight fire and that smoke had spread into both the cockpit and cabin. The controller cleared the pilot to divert to the nearest airport, but seconds later the twin-engine airplane entered a dive and crashed in flames in an open field located in West Stockbridge.
Impact and Occupants
The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all four occupants were killed. The wreckage was consumed by fire.
Official Investigation Findings
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be an in-flight fire in the right engine compartment for an undetermined reason. The investigation reported the following factors: an uncontrolled descent, smoke in the cockpit, fire in the cabin, cockpit, and baggage compartment, and an in-flight fire in the right engine compartment. The cause of the fire could not be determined due to fire damage to the aircraft.