Huntington-Tri-State-Milton J. Ferguson

The aircraft contacted the terrain with the left wing tip, cartwheeled and came to rest inverted during an ILS runway 12 approach at Huntington (HTS). Minimum approach visibility for the ILS is 3/4 of a mile. While en route the pilot was informed the HTS visibility was 1/8 of a mile. A missed approach was performed on the first ILS. During the missed approach climb the transponder code in the aircraft was changed to 7600. Radar data indicated that after the 2nd ILS approach, the aircraft made a climbing left turn. When approximately 2 miles southeast of the airport, at 2,100 feet, the aircraft made a sharp right turn. The radar target disappeared shortly thereafter. The aircraft contacted the terrain on a heading of 260° between runway 30 and the parallel taxiway. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

3-4 inch snow accumulation on aircraft prior to flight. Pilot said he swept snow off except an area he could not reach. Heavy snowfall, wet snow reported as aircraft was prepared for departure, during runup, taxi and takeoff. Pilot advised by tower that visibility was 1/8 mile with fog and snow. Published takeoff minimum for far 135 opn was 1/2 mile. After riking snowplow located 150 feet left of runway, aircraft continued over embankment and came to rest inverted. Ice and snow fnd on upper tail surface. Elevator trim indicated full nose down. Aileron trim ind left bank. Witnesses said engines sounded normal, landing lights on, 600 feet visibility from position of snowplow. Pilot said 35 inches map when descending. Map increased with additional throttle. No engine roughness.

The airplane departed Kinston-Stallings Field, North Carolina, at 1838LT on a charter flight to Huntington, West Virginia, carrying players and fans of the Marshall University Football Team based in Huntington. Following an uneventful flight, the crew contacted Huntington Approach Control at 1923LT and was cleared for a runway 11 localizer approach. At 1934LT, the airplane passed the Outer Marker and the crew was cleared to land. In marginal weather conditions (mist and rain), the airplane descended below the minimum descent altitude and the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in flames on the slope of a hill located one mile short of runway 11 threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and none of the 75 occupants survived the crash. At the time of the accident, there were scattered clouds at 300 feet, broken overcast at 500 feet and solid overcast at 1,000 feet. Among the 75 occupants were 36 players, nine coaches and administrators, 26 fans and four crew members.

The twin engine airplane was completing a liaison flight from Fort Meade, MD, to Huntington, WV. While approaching Huntington-Tri-State Airport by night and in heavy rain falls, the aircraft went out of control and crashed on final. One passenger was injured while three other occupants were killed, among them Major General Edwin H. Burba, Deputy Commander of the 1st Army.
Crew:
Cw2 Paul R. Burtt, pilot,
Cw3 Maynard V. Reisinger, copilot.
Passengers:
MG Edwin H. Burba +1.