What happened
During a nighttime approach to Provo Municipal Airport, a twin-engine aircraft was unable to identify the runway due to a lack of visible lighting. The pilot attempted to locate the landing strip while operating in conditions of restricted visibility. During the final stage of the approach, the aircraft struck a swampy area situated in the vicinity of the airport. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the plane and caused two fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several contributing elements to the crash. The pilot failed to activate the runway lights prior to the approach, which hindered the ability to locate the landing area. Additionally, the flight was characterized by improper IFR operations and a failure by the pilot to properly prepare for the flight conditions. During the maneuver, the pilot circled to the east without having successfully sited the runway and misjudged the aircraft's altitude. Environmental factors, specifically rain, also played a role in the reduced visibility during the incident.