AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

Presumably, the pilot was flying on an instrument flight plan, as the flight maintained a cruise altitude of 7,000 feet (and ADS-B groundspeed of 125 to 130 knots) until about 12:53 p.m. Radar contact was lost some 3,500 feet lower, airspeed and rate of descent not known, but presumably at a significant increase.

Tail 95

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 95

AV Web

MAY 22, 2024

Presumably, the pilot was flying on an instrument flight plan, as the flight maintained a cruise altitude of 7,000 feet (and ADS-B groundspeed of 125 to 130 knots) until about 12:53 pm local time, roughly three hours into the flight. The pilot’s adult twin son and daughter were on board and also died in the tragic crash.

Tail 84

Tail Instrument Meteorological Conditions Knot Groundspeed 84

Plane and Pilot

NOVEMBER 27, 2024

Flight idle and nose down, which normally produced a 2,000-3,000-feet descent rate, resulted in a 2,000-feet-per-minute climb. We continued our descent into Great Falls, leaving “the wave” behind and above. I said to my first officer, “Ask for lower. We don’t want to be caught in those.” Horizon 253 descend, maintain one two thousand.”

Turbulence 77

Turbulence Weather Knot Descent 77

Air Facts

APRIL 29, 2024

At the current groundspeed, I believed it shouldn’t be of much concern unless the cell began producing lightning. I requested a descent from 6,000’ down to 4,000’ and was denied due to traffic. I was soon cleared to descend to 4,000’ and entered IMC during the descent while I located the approach chart to brief.

Descent 98

Descent Approach Weather AGL 98

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

The pilot flew into a gap between ridgelines and performed a series of rapid climbs, turns, and descents. Three reversals were recorded, with climb and descent rates of over 10,000 feet per minute. The last ADS-B flight data point has the airplane at about 2,519 feet msl with a groundspeed of only 48 knots.

Descent 58

Descent Airplanes Knot Pilot 58

Plane and Pilot

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

The pilot flew into a gap between ridgelines and performed a series of rapid climbs, turns, and descents. Three reversals were recorded, with climb and descent rates of over 10,000 feet per minute. The last ADS-B flight data point has the airplane at about 2,519 feet msl with a groundspeed of only 48 knots.

Descent 52

Descent Airplanes Knot Pilot 52

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

Perhaps just prior to the start of descent could be the optimum time–certainly completed no later than commencement of approach. Recall that we must remain at or above MDA until we are in a normal position to perform a normal rate of descent to landing. Will the vertical speed necessary comply with required descent criteria?

Approach 97

Approach AGL Descent Runway 97