What happened
The incident involved a test flight conducted by the operating crew. While airborne, one of the engines experienced a malfunction that resulted in an engine fire. Despite the in-flight emergency, the crew managed to bring the aircraft down and land at LaGuardia Airport.
Upon touchdown, the airplane lost directional control and ground looped. The impact caused the airframe to rupture, leading to a post-landing fire that engulfed the wreckage. Remarkably, all six crew members evacuated the burning aircraft successfully and sustained no injuries during the escape.
Findings
The official investigation identified the initial ignition source as the primary factor in the sequence of events. The core conclusion noted that the accident originated from an engine fire in flight, which precipitated the subsequent landing difficulties and post-crash fire.