What happened
A flight departing from Boston-Logan International Airport was originally intended for Rockland, but the destination was changed because fog prevented landing at that location. The aircraft, carrying one pilot and seven passengers, was instead directed toward Augusta. During the approach, the crew initiated a VOR approach at 2114LT. Following a missed approach at 2127LT, the flight was cleared for a second VOR approach.
The final communication from the aircraft occurred at 2140LT, when the pilot reported being four miles from the destination. Subsequent investigation located the wreckage in a dense forest on Allen Hill at an elevation of roughly 520 feet. The crash site was situated approximately 4 nautical miles from the runway 17 threshold and near the approach radial. The accident resulted in three fatalities (the pilot and two passengers) and five injuries, with two passengers sustaining serious harm and three suffering minor injuries.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the crash was caused by the pilot's decision to attempt visual flight while flying in instrument conditions at an altitude that was insufficient to clear the surrounding terrain after failing to properly execute a non-precision instrument approach.