Accident Overview
On a night flight from Orlando to Atlanta, the crew reported to air traffic control that a fire had erupted in the cabin and requested permission to divert to the nearest airport. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames in a prairie located in Alma, Georgia. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and both crew members were killed.
Sequence of Events
Prior to the crash, ground witnesses observed the fire burning through the fuselage, allowing burning cargo and debris to be scattered over a large area. After making several left circles, the burning aircraft plunged to the ground.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of this accident was the ignition of cargo in the aft belly compartment caused by contact with an unguarded light bulb. It is believed the fire then breached the compartment wall and damaged a hydraulic unit or line in the wing center section area at the rear spar, igniting the flammable hydraulic fluid.