What happened
While returning to Columbia Airport after completing a mission for firefighting, an aircraft struck granite boulders located approximately 252 feet before the runway threshold. The impact occurred at an elevation five feet below the level of the runway. The collision resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and two fatalities among the crew.
Findings
Investigation into the accident revealed that the aircraft was on final approach when it struck the terrain. Several environmental and operational factors were identified as contributors to the crash:
- The flight was operating in a downwind condition
- High ambient temperatures at the time of the incident
- Presence of challenging terrain near the approach path
- The crew performed a 360-degree turn at a low altitude
The findings indicate that the crew miscalculated the necessary speed, altitude, and distance from the obstacles during the final phase of flight.