Accident
On final approach to Columbia Airport following a firefighting mission, the airplane descended too low and struck a rocky wall approximately 252 feet short of the runway threshold. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and both crew members were killed.
Investigation
Investigators determined that the crew misjudged the distance, speed, and altitude on final approach, causing the aircraft to strike the ground and crash. Several contributing factors were identified: a downwind condition, high temperatures, the surrounding terrain, a 360-degree turn executed at low altitude, and the presence of granite boulders located 252 feet short of the runway, five feet below the runway elevation.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause states: "The crew misjudged the distance, speed and altitude on final approach, causing the aircraft to struck the ground and to crash." Contributing factors included downwind, high temperature, terrain, a 360 turn at low altitude, and hitting granite boulders 252 feet short of the runway, five feet below the runway.