What happened
During a flight transitioning from Edmonton to Denver, the crew of the aircraft was cruising at 9,000 feet when they experienced critical malfunctions with the left engine. The incident began when a propeller blade separated from the engine and struck the fuselage. This impact was followed by intense vibrations within the engine assembly, which eventually caused the entire left engine to detach from its mounting hardware.
In response to these escalating mechanical issues, the crew initiated an emergency descent to a lower altitude in an attempt to land the plane safely. However, during the approach, the aircraft struck a ditch in a field situated approximately 12 miles east of Billings. The impact caused the vehicle to catch fire upon coming to a halt. The accident resulted in eight fatalities and eight injuries among the occupants.
Findings
- A propeller blade became detached during the cruise phase of flight.
- Intense vibrations following the initial blade loss led to the complete separation of the left engine from its mount.