What happened
During a charter operation on behalf of Mohawk Airlines, the crew encountered deteriorating weather conditions while flying toward Huntsville. Due to the worsening environment, the decision was made to divert the flight to Houston-William P. Hobby Intercontinental Airport.
As the aircraft performed its approach, the pilots were operating in extremely low visibility caused by dense fog, with horizontal visibility measured at 1/4 mile or less. During the final approach phase, the aircraft collided with an electronic tower that stood 75 feet tall, located approximately two miles from the runway threshold. Following the impact with the structure, the plane crashed into a nearby field. The accident resulted in five fatalities, including both pilots and three passengers.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several critical contributing factors related to the flight's execution under instrument flight rules (IFR). The crew attempted to execute a combined NDB and surveillance approach following a missed ILS approach, despite the fact that weather conditions had fallen below established minimums.
Additional elements that contributed to the accident included:
- Presence of heavy fog and low cloud ceilings
- Obstructions from high-altitude structures
- Visibility levels being insufficient for safe operation
- Improper in-flight decision making regarding the approach
- Crew fatigue