What happened
A scheduled flight operating under Visual Flight Rules departed North Philadelphia Airport at 13:03, bound for Louisville. The aircraft, registration N 66534, an unspecified aircraft type, was carrying 775 gallons of fuel and was within its maximum allowable weight limits. The flight proceeded normally through favorable weather conditions until the crew approached Standiford Airport.
Upon receiving clearance to land on Runway 24, the aircraft began its final approach. Air traffic controllers observed that during the flare-out, the plane experienced a slight ballooning effect followed by an application of power that transitioned into a steep climb. During this maneuver, the aircraft began yaws to the left with a rising angle of attack. A controller noted that a section of the left elevator appeared to be hanging down, but the crew did not acknowledge the warning.
The aircraft entered a steep climbing left turn and reached an altitude of approximately 300 feet before stalling. The plane fell to the left and struck the ground on its nose and left wing. The impact was severe enough to rupture the fuselage, causing several occupants to be ejected. Emergency responders transported survivors to local hospitals, but the crash resulted in 28 fatalities and 16 injuries.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by the structural failure of the left elevator during flight. Specifically, the No. 1 hinge bolt had worked free from its fitting, leaving the outer third of the elevator unsupported. This failure led to a total loss of aircraft control.
Contributing factors included improper maintenance practices performed by a contract maintenance provider. The investigation revealed that the bolts and bearings installed in the left elevator did not meet required specifications, unlike the approved components used in the right elevator. Furthermore, inspection processes failed to identify these non-compliant parts or any excessive wear on the assembly prior to the accident.