What happened
Following takeoff from runway 08 at Harrisburg-Capital City Airport, a twin engine aircraft lost control and descended into a residential area. The plane struck a house in the town of Bressler, located approximately 1.55 statute miles from the end of the departure runway. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate and ignited a fire upon hitting the structure.
There were eight fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft, which included two crew members and six passengers. Additionally, one person residing in the house was killed during the collision. There were no survivors from either the flight or the residence.
Findings
Investigations determined that the crash was caused by the flightcrew's failure to ensure the aircraft was loaded within proper weight and balance limits. Specifically, the center of gravity was positioned significantly behind the certified aft limit. This imbalance resulted in longitudinal instability, making the aircraft difficult to manage during a climbing turn while flying in instrument meteorological conditions. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical issues or engine malfunctions, and noted that the pilots were properly certified with no identified medical or psychological impairments.