What happened
During a climb toward 15,000 feet at approximately 22:32 EDT, the pilot of the aircraft notified air traffic control regarding a low oil pressure warning light. Controllers provided information regarding nearby landing options, including Jimmy Stewart Field and Westmoreland County. While maneuvering under instructions to descend and turn, the pilot expressed uncertainty regarding available runways.
As the flight proceeded toward Pittsburgh, the situation deteriorated. At 22:34 EDT, the pilot reported that oil pressure had dropped to zero alongside a persistent oil light. An emergency was declared at 22:37 EDT, and the aircraft was directed toward Allegheny County Airport with instructions to pass Monroeville Airport. The aircraft ultimately crashed at 22:47 EDT. The accident resulted in two fatalities and two injuries.
Findings
An investigation into the mechanical failure revealed that a flange nut on the left turbocharger feed line was only finger-tight, which caused a steady leak during testing. This leakage led to the exhaustion of the engine's oil supply. The investigation also identified inadequate maintenance by personnel as a contributing factor. Additionally, the findings noted that the pilot's in-flight planning and emergency procedures were factors in the sequence of events leading to the impact.