What happened
The aircraft was operating on a flight from Des Moines to Alliance, Nebraska, when the crew encountered severe meteorological conditions. The environment included active thunderstorms and significant turbulence. During this period of bad weather, the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent. The vehicle subsequently impacted the ground in a pasture located in Malcolm, which is situated 17 kilometers northwest of Lincoln.
Upon impact, the airframe exploded, creating a large fireball. Debris was scattered over an area approximately 400 meters in radius from the crash site. All 13 occupants on board were killed in the accident. The individuals aboard included the pilot, copilot, and ten other personnel.
Findings
Investigations into the incident could not definitively establish the exact mechanical or operational cause of the failure. However, authorities noted that the possibility of the aircraft being struck by lightning while flying through a low-pressure area was not ruled out as a contributing factor.