What happened
On a night flight departing from Jackson Hole Airport at 22:45 local time, an aircraft bound for New York-JFK crashed during its initial climb. The flight was tasked with transporting a U.S. Secret Service communications vehicle following President Bill Clinton's stay in Jackson Hole. The aircraft was carrying a total of nine people, consisting of eight crew members and one U.S. Secret Service agent.
Approximately five minutes after departing the runway, the four-engine aircraft collided with the slope of Mt Sleeping Indian, which reaches an elevation of 3,427 meters. The impact occurred roughly 18 km southeast of the airport. The collision caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and there were nine fatalities with no survivors.
Findings
- The accident occurred during the climbing phase of flight.
- The aircraft struck a mountain slope at night.