Accident Sequence
The first officer, who was flying the aircraft, initiated the approach to runway 17. This runway was not equipped with approach lights or an Instrument Landing System. At the time, the aircraft was northbound in the holding pattern of the Grand Island VOR. The crew executed a 90-degree left turn followed by a 270-degree right turn, aligning the aircraft with the runway.
According to the captain's description, which was corroborated by the first officer, the approach checklist was completed, and a turn was made north of the low frequency range, located 8,391 feet from the threshold of runway 17. The area around the range and the southern half of the distance to the airport was clear. The captain noted that the runway lights were aligned and set to medium intensity (position 3). The approach was a normal gradual descent. The radios were tuned to the low frequency range and the Omni. The checklist was complete except for approach and landing flaps and the attitude director indicator.
Neither the captain nor the first officer observed the runway lights "spread," a visual indication of being very low near the runway. There were no ground witnesses to the approach or the crash, which occurred in a large, level open field. No moonlight was present, and the captain testified that, except for the lights on the range station, no ground lights were visible under the approach path.
Weather Conditions
A weather observation taken at 2037, seven minutes after the accident, reported: clear sky, visibility 7 miles, temperature 26°F, dewpoint 26°F, wind from the south at 10 knots, and altimeter setting 29.80 inches. This observation was recorded but not transmitted via teletype.
Impact and Fire
The initial point of contact was the nosewheel, located approximately three feet to the right of the extended centerline of runway 17 and about 4,061 feet short of the threshold. Impact marks indicate the aircraft struck nearly level longitudinally, with a yaw of about six degrees to the right and in a shallow left bank.
Upon impact, the left main landing gear collapsed and was torn free. Both propellers struck the ground and were torn off along with the nose cones of their respective engines. The left wing became detached as the aircraft rolled to the left onto its back and slid inverted, swerving left and coming to rest on a heading of approximately 045 degrees, 1,275 feet from the point of first contact.
A fire developed in the detached left wing but did not spread to the fuselage.
Evacuation and Injuries
All 43 occupants evacuated the aircraft quickly. The majority exited through the galley service door, which was opened by a flight attendant, while others used the emergency exit at seat 8D. The captain left through a cockpit window; the first officer and one passenger escaped through a hole in the fuselage. Both pilots and three passengers sustained injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by the post-crash fire.
Probable Cause
The Board determined the probable cause of this accident was failure of the crew to monitor altitude properly during a landing approach.