What happened
While performing a visual approach into Billings, a Citation was positioned behind a Boeing 757. As the two aircraft progressed toward the runway, the distance between them decreased, with horizontal separation dropping below 2.6 miles and vertical separation measured between 600 and 1,000 feet. Approximately 1.5 miles from the runway threshold, the Citation underwent a rapid roll into an inverted position, leading to a near-vertical descent into the terrain.
Data recovered from the cockpit voice recorder and air traffic control communications indicated that the crew had been monitoring the position of the Boeing 717 throughout the descent. One of the final remarks recorded from the captain noted that they had nearly collided with the larger aircraft. The weather conditions at the time of the accident involved winds of 5 knots. The impact resulted in eight fatalities.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced an uncontrolled roll to an inverted position during the final stages of the approach.
- The flight was operating under visual approach procedures behind a larger commercial jet.