Accident Overview
On the morning of the accident, a scheduled flight operating as Flight 141 from Utica, New York, to Washington, DC, crashed while attempting an approach to Tompkins County Airport in Ithaca, New York. The aircraft had planned an en route stop at Ithaca. The airplane was destroyed by impact and subsequent fire.
Sequence of Events
The flight crew had contacted Elmira approach control and received instructions for an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 32 at Tompkins County Airport. At approximately 07:40 Eastern Standard Time, the copilot declared an emergency, stating that the airplane had a landing flap problem. He later specified that only one flap was down. The copilot also reported that they were unable to maintain altitude and that the airplane was descending. Elmira approach lost radar contact with the airplane at approximately 07:41 EST. The last radio transmission from the flight was recorded at about 07:45 EST. The airplane crashed in a wooded area near three suburban residences. The pilot and copilot, the only persons aboard, were killed. There were no injuries to personnel on the ground.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident to be excessive wear of the left flap motor/flexible drive spline and certification of the airplane with a flap system that did not meet the requirements of Civil Air Regulation 3.339. The worn spline caused a split flap condition of 34 degrees, which resulted in marginal flight control authority. Additionally, moderate low-altitude turbulence and transient low-level wind shear may have contributed to the upset and loss of control.