What happened
During a cargo flight conducted under instrument meteorological conditions, the crew approached Charleston Yeager International Airport (CRW) at 9,000 feet. While the initial ATIS report indicated manageable weather, a recent special weather observation showed that cloud ceilings had dropped to 500 feet agl. The approach controller failed to relay this updated information to the crew.
Although a localizer 5 approach was available, the first officer requested a VOR-A circling approach, a decision that deviated from the operator's standard operating procedures. During the execution of the VOR-A approach, the aircraft descended 120 feet below the required stepdown altitude of 1,720 feet. As the aircraft neared the runway threshold, it entered a steep left bank of up to 42 degrees with a high descent rate of 2,500 feet per minute. Just before the impact, the aircraft's pitch moved upward, suggesting an attempt to recover, but the aircraft struck the runway.
No mechanical or engine failures were identified as contributing to the crash. The investigation noted that the captain's performance was characterized by procedural intentional noncompliance, specifically regarding altitude and descent rate stability.
Findings
- The approach controller failed to provide updated weather information regarding the lowered cloud ceiling.
- The crew's decision to use the VOR-A approach instead of the available localizer approach violated company SOPs.
- The aircraft experienced an unstable approach, including an excessive descent rate and a steep bank.
- A significant authority gradient between the captain and the first officer likely prevented the first officer from calling for a missed approach.
- The operator lacked a formal oversight program to monitor pilot compliance with safety procedures or to address the captain's history of marginal instrument flying skills.