Night Takeoff Fire Leads to Residential Crash at Charleston Airport (51-8165)

Incident OverviewShortly after a night takeoff from Charleston Airport, an aircraft experienced an engine fire and explosion while climbing. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude and crashed in flames into a residential area approximately 1.7 miles from the airfield, striking several houses.## CasualtiesThe accident resulted in significant loss of life and injuries. Five crew members were killed, and six other crew members sustained serious injuries. Additionally, four people inside the houses were killed in the crash.## Investigation FindingsThe official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was an engine explosion during the initial climb. The specific reason for the engine explosion was not identified in the official findings.