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Business aircraft accident reports reveal causes behind recent crashes

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JSX Aircraft | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

Jul 1, 2024

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released preliminary and final reports on several business aircraft accidents that occurred in 2024. These reports provide insights into the circumstances surrounding each incident.

On March 30, a Daher TBM 700 crashed near Truckee Tahoe Airport in California. The NTSB report states that the aircraft was maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions when it experienced multiple autopilot activations and deactivations before crashing. Both the pilot and passenger were killed. FAA ADS-B data indicated changes in autopilot settings during the flight, which ended with a rapid decrease in altitude and speed.

In another incident on May 5, a Rockwell International 690A crashed in Palmyra, Virginia. The wreckage showed signs of fire and an inflight break-up, scattering debris over a wide area. A witness described hearing a sound “like thunder” before seeing the airplane on fire as it descended. The pilot had reported losing autopilot before communication ceased.

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A Piper PA-46-500TP crash occurred on May 12 near Marianna, Arkansas. The aircraft entered a spiraling descent at an estimated rate of 17,000 feet per minute shortly after initiating its descent from FL280. Severe turbulence was present at the time of the accident.

On May 15, a Sikorsky S-58T helicopter was destroyed during taxi operations in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Ground resonance caused by tailwheel drift led to significant damage to the rotor system but both crew members survived with one sustaining minor injuries.

Final reports include an accident involving a Pilatus PC-12-47E on July 19, 2021, at La Môle Aerodrome in France where improper handling led to propeller contact with the runway due to stall protection activation.

Another fatal accident involved a Bell 206B helicopter on December 30, 2021, attributed to loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE). The helicopter's main rotor struck trees during a sightseeing flight leading to two fatalities.

Maintenance errors were cited as contributing factors in the crash of a Robinson R44 helicopter on November 22, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Missing hardware resulted in loss of control during training exercises killing both occupants.

These findings highlight ongoing safety challenges within aviation operations and underscore the importance of rigorous maintenance checks and adherence to operational protocols.