Accident Overview
On the day of the accident, the aircraft was conducting a non-precision approach to Runway 02 at New Haven-Tweed Airport. Weather conditions were poor, with rain falling in the area. During the final approach segment, the pilot-in-command descended below the glide slope and continued the approach. The airplane subsequently struck cottages and crashed in flames 4,890 feet short of the runway threshold. Three occupants survived the accident, while 28 others were killed.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the captain intentionally descended below the prescribed minimum descent altitude despite adverse weather conditions that prevented adequate forward visibility or the crew's sighting of the runway environment. The first officer advised the captain that the minimum descent altitude had been reached and that the aircraft continued to descend at a normal descent rate and airspeed. However, the captain disregarded these advisories. Investigators were unable to determine what motivated the captain to disregard prescribed operating procedures and altitude restrictions, noting that his actions during the flight were difficult to reconcile.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was the captain's intentional descent below the prescribed minimum descent altitude under adverse weather conditions without adequate forward visibility or the crew's sighting of the runway environment. The captain disregarded advisories from his first officer that minimum descent altitude had been reached and that the airplane was continuing to descend at a normal descent rate and airspeed. The Board was unable to determine what motivated the captain to disregard prescribed operating procedures and altitude restrictions and finds it difficult to reconcile the actions he exhibited during the conduct of this flight.