Accident Details
The aircraft was completing a flight from Cleveland, Ohio, to Fort Myers, Florida, with an intermediate stop at Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina. During the approach, the pilot encountered limited visibility due to foggy conditions and obtained a special VFR clearance. On final approach, unable to locate the airport, the pilot decided to execute a go-around. The airplane then struck the ground and crashed in flames one mile short of the runway. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was determined to be improper IFR operation. The following factors were reported: weather considerably worse than forecast; low ceiling, rain, and fog; and special VFR clearance.