What happened
During a night flight conducted under instrument meteorological conditions, the aircraft entered a left-hand turn that resulted in aerodynamic loads exceeding the structural design limits of the airframe. As the aircraft descended, the intense aerodynamic forces caused the plane to break apart. The destruction of the aircraft included the failure of the outboard wing panels, which moved downward, and the separation of the center wing section from the fuselage. Additionally, the horizontal stabilizer and elevators failed in a downward and aft direction.
Findings
Investigations into the wreckage and crew positioning revealed that the captain was located outside of the cockpit, with no evidence suggesting he was in his seat at the moment of impact. A human factors analysis indicated that the flight profile during the final minute of the flight was consistent with a pilot suffering from spatial disorientation. The accident resulted in two fatalities, as both pilots were killed in the event.