What happened
In the early morning hours, a twin engine airplane departed from Altoona Airport at 03:28 local time. Shortly after the initial climb, the pilot contacted air traffic control to communicate an intention to begin descending toward Philadelphia Airport, which was situated approximately 172 miles to the east of the aircraft's current position.
Roughly one hour following the departure, the aircraft experienced a loss of control. The plane impacted an open field in the vicinity of Reynoldsdale. The accident resulted in two fatalities and one serious injury. The occupants involved included the pilot and two passengers.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the pilot suffered from disorientation during the flight. This loss of situational awareness was directly linked to physical impairment resulting from excessive alcohol consumption.