Sep 22, 1997
Accident
Substantial PATTERSON, LA
Injuries2 serious
Phase of Flight-
ConditionsIMC
OperationFAR 091
Probable Cause
failure of the copilot to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff, which led to an inadvertent descent and collision with a crop of sugar cane and the ground. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, fog, and the pilot-in-command's inadequate monitoring of the copilot, when he diverted his attention to adjusting the instrument lights.
NTSB FTW97LA356