Incident Overview
On a night approach to Oxford-University Airport, the copilot-in-command failed to recognize that the aircraft's altitude was too low. Visibility was reduced at the time. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground short of the runway threshold, resulting in the loss of its undercarriage before coming to rest. All three crew members aboard were uninjured, while the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Official Findings
The investigation identified the probable cause of the accident. The copilot misjudged distance and altitude on final approach. Additionally, there was inadequate supervision of the flight on the part of the captain. The absence of runway approach lights at the time of the accident was also noted as contributing to the circumstances.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft, with three crew members on board, was conducting a night approach. The crew were uninjured in the incident. The aircraft itself was damaged beyond repair.
Contextual Factors
The approach took place during nighttime conditions with reduced visibility. The runway lacked approach lights, which are typically used to aid pilots in landing during low-visibility conditions.
Conclusion
The accident highlights issues related to crew coordination and situational awareness during a night approach in reduced visibility. The findings point to a misjudgment of altitude and distance by the copilot, combined with a lack of adequate supervision by the captain.