What happened
During operations at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, the crew performed multiple touch-and-go landings. Following these maneuvers, the pilot initiated a descent into an area characterized by heavy fog and limited visibility. While on final approach, the four-engine airplane collided with trees located before reaching the runway threshold.
The subsequent impact and a post-crash fire resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were nine fatalities among the crew members on board.
Findings
Preliminary observations suggest that the accident was driven by the crew performing a descent at an altitude that was too low given the marginal weather and foggy conditions present during the approach.