What happened
During an approach to Santa Ana Airport following a flight from Los Angeles, the crew encountered significant weather challenges including fog and low cloud cover. While on short final for the runway, the aircraft collided with a steel light pole, measuring approximately 30 feet in height, situated along the Costa Mesa Freeway. Following this impact, the plane lost control and descended into the ground, resulting in a post-crash fire roughly 1.8 miles before reaching the threshold of runway 20R. The accident resulted in nine fatalities and no survivors.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several contributing elements related to the flight conditions and execution. The primary factor was the pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude during the descent. This error occurred amidst challenging environmental factors, including a low ceiling and visibility that was restricted to 3/4 mile or less. Additionally, the official findings pointed toward improper IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations as a key component of the accident.