Flight History
Earlier on the day of the accident, the flight crew had conducted a patient transfer from a remote airport to another nearby airport. Following the patient transfer, the flight crew departed under night conditions to return to their home base.
Approach and Maneuvering
Review of air traffic control (ATC) communication and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) recordings showed that the flight crew initially was cleared for the RNAV (GPS) runway 17 instrument approach. The approach plate stated that circling to runway 27R and 35 was not authorized at night. Following the approach clearance, the flight crew discussed their intent to cancel the approach and circle to land on runway 27R. They also discussed whether they could see the runway. After establishing visual contact with the runway, they requested to squawk VFR, and the controller cleared them to land on runway 17. The flight crew then requested to land on runway 27. The controller asked if they wanted to cancel their IFR flight plan; the pilot replied affirmatively. The controller acknowledged the cancellation and instructed the pilot to overfly the field and enter left traffic for runway 27R, clearing them to land. Shortly after, the flight crew asked if the runway lights for 27R could be increased, but the controller stated they were already at 100%.
Just before the controller’s response, the copilot (pilot flying) asked the captain “where is the runway.” While maneuvering onto the downwind leg, the captain told the copilot not to go lower; the copilot asked for direction to turn left, which the captain provided about 10 seconds later. The copilot said, “I see that little mountain, okay,” followed by both pilots saying “woah woah woah, speed, speed” three seconds later. Over the next five seconds, both said “go around the mountain,” and then the captain remarked “this is dicey,” with the copilot concurring. The captain then said “here let me take it on this turn,” and the copilot replied “yes, you fly.” The captain asked the copilot to watch his speed, and the copilot agreed. About one second later, the copilot said “speed speed speed, more more, more more, faster, faster…” Shortly after, the CVR indicated the airplane impacted terrain.
Data and Analysis
ADS-B data showed that when the crew reported the runway in sight, they were about 360 ft below the MDA. Upon crossing the published missed approach point, they were 660 ft below MDA. The aircraft overflew the destination airport at about 775 ft msl (407 ft agl) and entered a left downwind for runway 27R. On the downwind leg, the airplane descended to 700 ft msl, then ascended to 950 ft msl on the base leg. The last recorded ADS-B target was at 875 ft msl (295 ft agl).