What happened
On a Sunday afternoon, a TU-6A aircraft, operated by the Rhode Island Army National Guard, departed from Burlington, Vermont. The flight was commanded by a pilot who had acquired the plane the previous day under the guise of seeking extra training hours, though his official mission involved transporting helicopter components to the Vermont Army National Guard.
During the flight sequence leading up to the accident, the aircraft deviated from its intended flight plan. After departing Warwick, Rhode Island, the pilot made two unscheduled stops. At Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts, three unauthorized passengers boarded the plane, and a fourth passenger joined the group during a stop in Laconia, New Hampshire.
As the TU-6A attempted to climb out of Burlington, it encountered a heavy snow squall. Shortly after departing the runway, the pilot transmitted a radio message indicating mechanical issues involving an aileron. The aircraft subsequently entered a spin and struck the ground. The impact resulted in five fatalities, including the pilot and all four passengers, and the aircraft was completely destroyed.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the aircraft suffered from a significant buildup of ice on its wings and fuselage. This accumulation led to an aerodynamic stall during the initial climb phase. Furthermore, it was noted that no pre-flight inspections or de-icing procedures were performed prior to the departure.