Overview
On a local training flight departing from Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station (NAS), the crew of a four-engine aircraft encountered poor weather conditions during the return leg in the evening. Low clouds, limited visibility, and rain reduced the crew's ability to navigate safely.
Accident Sequence
While descending at low altitude, the crew experienced a loss of situational awareness and failed to respond to obstacle warnings. The aircraft subsequently collided with trees and impacted the top of Mount Perucho. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in the death of all 10 crew members.
Official Findings
The investigation determined by clear and convincing evidence that the cause of the mishap was an uncharacteristic loss of situational awareness by the entire mishap flight deck crew and the subsequent lack of an appropriate response to obstacle warnings. The Board President further found that overall crew preparation, a misdirected focus on the weather, crew resource management dynamics, and crew judgment as it relates to existing directives substantially contributed to the mishap.