What happened
A cargo flight involving a 1950's era former military transport aircraft ended in a fatal accident near the entrance of a national park. The flight, which was being conducted under visual flight rules (VFR) for the purpose of delivering cargo, was not accompanied by a filed flight plan, and the crew maintained no contact with air traffic control services throughout the duration of the trip.
During the flight, observers noted the aircraft traveling at a low speed across a valley, deviating from its intended path. The aircraft subsequently experienced a sudden pitch-up motion, followed by a stall and a rapid descent into the forested area. The flight involved the pilot, co-pilot, and one passenger, all of whom were fatal in the crash.
Witnesses present at the scene reported that the engines were functioning at the time of the impact and noted that the landing gear was in the retracted position.
Findings
Post-accident investigations of the wreckage and engine components showed no signs of mechanical failure or engine deficiencies prior to the crash. Additionally, there was no evidence that the cargo had shifted during the flight sequence.
Expert testimony indicated that the specific aircraft type is notoriously difficult to recover from a stall, leading many pilots to avoid stall practice in this model. While the aircraft is equipped with auxiliary jet engines designed to provide extra thrust in the event of a piston engine issue, investigators found that neither auxiliary engine had been engaged. Based on the lack of mechanical issues and the absence of distress calls, investigators concluded that the pilot allowed the aircraft to lose airspeed and enter an unrecoverable low-altitude stall.