What happened
During a routine local training operation conducted at Santa Maria Air Force Base, an aircraft impacted the terrain before reaching the runway. While performing the final approach phase of the flight, the pilot-in-command utilized an excessive angle of descent. This maneuver caused the plane to deviate below the established glide path, leading it to strike the ground short of the runway threshold.
The impact was followed by a post-crash fire that resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were seven injuries reported among the crew members on board, though no fatalities were recorded during the incident.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the primary factor was an incorrect approach configuration maintained by the flight crew during the descent.