What happened
During a flight traveling from Pittsfield to Morristown, the pilot of a twin engine airplane reported an active fire to air traffic control. The crew noted that smoke had begun to permeate both the cabin and the cockpit area. After receiving clearance to divert to the closest available airport, the aircraft entered a rapid dive. The plane subsequently crashed into an open field in West Stockbridge, where it was consumed by flames. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in four fatalities.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that a fire had ignited within the right engine compartment during flight. This fire spread through the baggage compartment, cabin, and cockpit. While the exact origin of the ignition remains unknown due to the extensive damage caused by the post-crash fire, the right engine fire was a primary factor in the sequence of events. The descent that followed the fire became uncontrolled, leading to the terminal impact.