What happened
During an approach to Hot Springs-Ingalls Field Airport, the flight crew encountered extremely challenging meteorological conditions characterized by fog and cloud ceilings as low as 100 feet. While performing the final approach to runway 24, the pilot did not maintain sufficient altitude, leading the aircraft to collide with a mountain.
The impact occurred a short distance from the runway, causing the aircraft to disintegrate upon hitting the terrain. The wreckage was subsequently located at an elevation approximately 500 feet below the level of the runway. There were 11 fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the crash was a result of controlled flight into terrain. The specific reasons for the loss of altitude during the approach remained undetermined.