Baton Rouge-Metropolitan (Ryan)

The aircraft collided with power lines and trees while on final approach. The reported weather immediately following the accident was an indefinite ceiling zero, sky obscured, and visibility 1/16 of a mile in fog. No preimpact failures or malfunctions of the aircraft were found. The pilot had diverted from his intended destination due to fog. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The aircraft crashed and burned shortly after taking off in darkness on an IFR flight plan. The weather was reported as indefinite ceiling, zero obscuration, visibility 1/4 mile with fog, wind 120° at 5 knots. A number of witnesses heard the aircraft, both before and after takeoff. The consensus of their statements indicated that one engine lost power while the other continued running at a high power setting. An investigation revealed that an intense post crash fire had consumed most of the aircraft. There was evidence that the plane had crashed in a steep nose down, right wing low attitude and did not move after impact. The right propeller was found in a feathered position. The left propeller blades were curled and twisted. Both engines were disassemble, but no evidence of a mechanical failure was found. The gear and flaps were retracted and the cowl flaps were closed. All three occupants were killed.

The airplane landed in rain falls with a 18 knots tailwind about 2,000 feet down runway 13 which is 5,800 feet long. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest in a ditch about 350 feet further and 200 feet to the right of the extended centreline. All 50 occupants escaped without injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the airplane was 71,000 lbs.

Weather at New Orleans was below landing minima, so the flight was diverted to Baton Rouge. Weather at Baton Rouge was a ceiling 300 feet overcast, visibility 1,5 miles in light rain and fog, wind 360deg/5 knots. Runway 13 ILS minima were 300 feet ceiling and 3/4 mile visibility, weather was below circling minima. However, the approach was continued and the plane touched down fast 2,500 feet past the runway threshold. Approaching the end of the runway, the pilot attempted to ground loop, but the plane just turned 20° and slid off the runway. Both pilots were evacuates while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.