Incident
On a cargo flight from Chicago, the aircraft was on final approach to La Crosse Airport during night conditions. While approaching the runway, the pilot lost control of the airplane, which nosed down and impacted the ground a few dozen yards short of the runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash, and the pilot was killed.
Investigation
Investigators determined that the accident resulted from an uncontrolled descent on final approach. The probable cause was identified as a failure of the wing flap control system. Specific contributing factors included an overload failure and asymmetrical flaps due to compression overload of the control rod.
Probable Cause
The official finding states: "Uncontrolled descent on final approach caused by the failure of the wing flap control system. The following factors were reported: - Overload failure, - Asymmetrical flaps due to control rod compression overload."