Accident Details
During the approach to Hot Springs-Ingalls Field Airport, the crew encountered very poor weather conditions. On final approach, the pilot failed to realize that the altitude was too low. The airplane subsequently struck a mountain and crashed short of runway 24. The aircraft disintegrated upon impact, and all 11 occupants were killed. The wreckage was discovered 500 feet below the runway elevation.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, the weather was poor, with clouds down to 100 feet and fog present. These conditions likely contributed to the difficulty of the approach, though the exact reasons for the pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude remain undetermined.
Investigation
The official investigation findings classified the accident as controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) for undetermined reasons. No further causal factors were specified in the report.