What happened
On the night of the accident, a flight crew consisting of pilots and instructors departed from the Greater Pittsburgh Airport at 22:30 local time. The purpose of the mission was to conduct a scheduled proficiency check via a local training flight.
Approximately thirty minutes after takeoff, the crew identified an active fire in one of the engines. In response to this emergency, the pilots attempted to return to the airport for an unplanned landing. During the descent and approach, the aircraft type became uncontrollable. The aircraft subsequently struck trees and impacted the ground near the Snowden Junior-Senior High School, resulting in a post-crash fire.
Findings
All five fatalities occurred among the crew members on board. The impact and subsequent flames resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. Investigations into the accident determined that an engine fire during flight was the primary factor leading to the loss of control.