What happened
On a night flight originating from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, an aircraft operated by Pavilion Group LLC was en route to Thomson, Georgia, to transport medical staff. During the approach to Thomson-McDuffie Regional Airport, the pilot communicated with Augusta approach control, noting the airport was in sight. At approximately 2003, the pilot ended visual flight-following services to proceed toward the destination.
As the aircraft approached the runway, the pilot initiated a go-around. Witnesses observed the plane flying at a low altitude along the runway path. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a concrete utility pole and wires located roughly 59 feet above the ground, approximately a quarter-mile east of the departure end of runway 10. The impact severed the outer portion of the left wing. Following this collision, the aircraft traveled another quarter-mile before hitting trees and the ground, which triggered a significant post-crash fire that destroyed much of the airframe. The engines were torn from the fuselage during the sequence of impacts.
The accident resulted in five fatalities and left the two crew members with serious injuries. Investigation of the wreckage showed the landing gear was extended and the flaps were set to the 10-degree position, consistent with a go-around configuration.
Findings
At the time of the accident, the weather was clear with calm winds, though the flight was conducted under night visual meteorological conditions. While the runway lights were functional, security footage indicated they were set to a low intensity. The collision with a non-lighted utility pole during the low-altitude go-around was the primary event leading to the destruction of the aircraft.