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wipers were turned on and simultaneously with passing over the range station at an altitude of approximately 700 feet and sighting the airport, the tower called and stated that  it had the ship in sight and that the flight was cleared to land.

Flight 3 previously had been informed that the surface wind was west, variable to northwest, 5 mph, and due to a heavy rain occurring east of the airport, the pilot elected to use Runway 1.  The aircraft headed southwest in order to widen the pattern and establish a downwind leg at a suitable distance from the runway.  During the turn to final approach the flaps and landing gear were extended, and descent was made toward the airport aligned with Runway 1.

Investigation

Tower personnel observed the flight on final approach for a north landing when it was south of the field.  The airplane was beneath the overcast and remained visible to ground observers while making a sharp descent toward the field.  Because of an air speed which was higher than normal, it remained airborne for several hundred feet.  The airplane touched down slightly more than half way down the runway, and in a tail-high attitude.  There was no apparent deceleration and as it continued toward the far end of the runway, power was applied in an attempt to take off.  The airplane became airborne but there was not sufficient distance remaining and it crashed into trees just north of the airport.  Power to both engines was reduced just prior to impact.  All the passengers were evacuated without difficulty.

The aircraft came to rest in a heavily wooded area, approximately 300 feet from the end of the runway and headed about 90 degrees to the left