Narrative:A Beechcraft 200 Super King Air, N208MS, operated by Shoreline Aviation, Inc., was destroyed when it impacted terrain in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The certificated airline transport pilot, and the certificated commercial rated co-pilot were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Harriman-And-West Airport (AQW), North Adams, Massachusetts, about 05:44.
The pre-takeoff instrument flight rules clearance for the flight called for the airplane to climb and maintain 5,000 feet, and to expect flight level 220, ten minutes after departure. The clearance was read back correctly by a member of the flight crew. Shortly after takeoff, a member of the flight crew asked air traffic control for a higher altitude, and then stated 'uh, you want us at twenty two hundred.' The approach controller transmitted 'should be at five thousand;' however, there were no further transmissions from the airplane. The airplane wreckage was located at an elevation of about 2,300 feet, approximately 4.8 miles west of the departure airport. The airplane impacted wooded up-sloping terrain. Several broken trees were observed, which led to the beginning of the debris path. The trees were broken at about the same height. A weather observation taken at an airport about 12 miles north-northwest of the accident site, about the time of the accident included: few clouds at 300 feet and a ceiling of 1,700 feet overcast.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot-in-command's failure comply with an air traffic control clearance which resulted in a collision with terrain. A factor in this accident was clouds."
Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: | NTSB |
Status: | Investigation completed |
Duration: | 1 year and 2 months | Accident number: | NYC00FA006 | Download report: | Summary report
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Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» NTSB
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from North Adams-Harriman-and-West Airport, MA to Lewisburg-Greenbrier Valley Airport, WV as the crow flies is 810 km (506 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.