What happened
During a scheduled taxi flight operating between Heston and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the aircraft encountered adverse weather conditions characterized by poor visibility caused by mist. While cruising, the crew failed to recognize that they were flying at an altitude too low for the terrain ahead. The twin-engine aircraft subsequently impacted the slope of Mt Dora's Seat, located near Middleton.
The collision with the ground resulted in the destruction of the airframe due to impact forces. A post-crash fire also occurred, contributing to the total loss of the aircraft. All three occupants on board were killed in the accident. The crew consisted of a pilot and a wireless operator, while the third occupant was a passenger.
Findings
The official investigation determined that the primary factor leading to the fatal crash was controlled flight into terrain. The combination of bad weather conditions and the crew's failure to maintain adequate altitude relative to the surrounding topography resulted in the collision.