What happened
While performing a non-precision approach into Victoria County-Foster Airport, the flight crew encountered visibility conditions characterized by fog and marginal weather. As the aircraft was on short final for runway 12L, it collided with a utility pole situated approximately 1.7 miles before the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft type to crash into an adjacent field, where the subsequent fire and structural damage from the collision resulted in the total destruction of the plane.
There were nine fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft during this event.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing elements related to the flight's operation under instrument flight rules. The crew was operating in weather conditions that fell below established minimums, specifically dealing with a low ceiling and fog. A significant factor was the improper IFR operation by the crew, which included a lack of altitude awareness during the descent into areas of poor visibility.
Additionally, the pilot-in-command misjudged the aircraft's altitude. The investigation also noted that the combination of sunlight and fog created an illusory effect, further complicating the crew's ability to maintain situational awareness regarding their height above the ground.