Flight Details
The aircraft departed Kinston-Stallings Field, North Carolina, at 1838 local time on a charter flight to Huntington, West Virginia. The flight was carrying players and fans of the Marshall University Football Team, based in Huntington. Among the 75 occupants were 36 players, nine coaches and administrators, 26 fans, and four crew members.
Accident Sequence
Following an uneventful flight, the crew contacted Huntington Approach Control at 1923 local time and was cleared for a runway 11 localizer approach. At 1934 local time, the aircraft passed the Outer Marker and the crew was cleared to land. In marginal weather conditions of mist and rain, the airplane descended below the minimum descent altitude. The crew failed to realize the aircraft's altitude was too low. The aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames on the slope of a hill located one mile short of the runway 11 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post-crash fire. None of the 75 occupants survived the crash.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, there were scattered clouds at 300 feet, a broken overcast at 500 feet, and a solid overcast at 1,000 feet.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause states: 'The descent below Minimum Descent Altitude during a non precision approach under adverse weather conditions, without visual contact with the runway environment. The Board has been unable to determine the reason for this descent, although the two most likely explanations are: a) improper use of cockpit instrument data; or b) an altimetry system error.'