At 2337 Eastern time, the airplane collided with trees and the ground while maneuvering during an instrument approach. Instrument conditions prevailed; the airplane was destroyed. The Airline Transport pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. Earlier, the flight missed the Localizer Runway 31 approach at Columbia Owens Downtown Airport. The pilot was then vectored for the ILS Runway 11 approach at Columbia Metropolitan Airport. During the second approach, ATC received six low-altitude alerts from the radar system and subsequently lost radar contact. Due to dense fog, search units were unable to locate the wreckage until the next morning.
