What happened
A flight traveling from Perrin AFB in Denison, Texas, to Olmsted AFB in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, via Youngstown, Ohio, ended in a fatal accident. During the final approach phase at Olmstead AFB, the aircraft encountered heavy rain and fog. While flying under instrument flight rules at an altitude of approximately 700 feet, the aircraft type (not specified) struck treetops. The impact caused the plane to stall and crash into a wooded area located roughly two miles short of the runway.
The subsequent impact forces and a post-crash fire completely destroyed the aircraft. There were six fatalities among the occupants, which included the pilot, copilot, flight engineer, navigator, and two passengers.
Findings
- The crew was operating in adverse weather conditions involving fog and rainfall.
- The aircraft struck vegetation while descending toward the airfield.