What happened
During a cruise at an altitude of 21,000 feet, the pilot received clearance to increase the flight level to 23,000 feet. During this climb, the aircraft experienced a significant loss of airspeed, dropping by approximately 53 knots. Following this loss of speed, the plane entered a rapid descent and began spinning. The aircraft eventually crashed into a field.
There were five fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors related to environmental conditions and operational decisions. The aircraft encountered icing conditions, which included the presence of sleet and freezing rain. Additionally, the airframe was affected by ice accumulation.
Key findings regarding the flight operations include:
- The pilot did not successfully maintain the necessary flying speed during the climb.
- An inadequate weather briefing preceded the flight.
- Improper in-flight decisions led to a stall and subsequent rapid descent.