Background
After transporting entertainment personnel to Lindbergh Field, the aircraft was repositioned to nearby Brown Field due to a planned late departure after Lindbergh's noise curfew. The pilot contacted a Flight Service Station (FSS) specialist three times before takeoff. During these calls, the pilot stated he did not have the instrument departure procedures and the specialist read them over the phone. On the final call, the pilot indicated he planned to depart under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) toward the northeast and obtain an IFR clearance after becoming airborne, a route that led toward mountainous terrain.
The pilot expressed concern about remaining clear of the Terminal Control Area (TCA) and inquired about staying below 3,000 feet. The specialist agreed with the concerns, but later stated he believed the pilot was referring to 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL) rather than 3,000 feet mean sea level (MSL).
Accident Sequence
The pilot had filed for a midnight takeoff but departed at 0141 Pacific Standard Time, over 1.5 hours late. As a result, the IFR flight plan had expired. While a controller was reentering the flight plan into the computer, the aircraft struck rising terrain near the top of a mountain, approximately 8 miles northeast of the airport, at an elevation of about 3,300 feet.
No deficiencies were found with the aircraft or its engines. The copilot did not hold a type rating for the Hawker-Siddeley HS.125, though he reportedly had made three takeoffs and landings in that aircraft type.
Occupants
All ten occupants were killed, including all members of the country music group the Reba McEntire Band. The passengers were identified as Chris Austin, Kirk Cappello, Joey Cigainero, Paul Kaye Evans, Jim Hammond, Terry Jackson, Anthony Saputo, and Michael Thomas.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was improper planning and decision by the pilot, the pilot's failure to maintain proper altitude and clearance over mountainous terrain, and the copilot's failure to adequately monitor the progress of the flight. Factors related to the accident were: insufficient terrain information provided by the flight service specialist during the preflight briefing after the pilot inquired about a low altitude departure, darkness, mountainous terrain, both pilots' lack of familiarity with the geographical area, and the copilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft.