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December 4, 2009, Harrison, Mich., Piper PA-31T2 Cheyenne

At 1845 Eastern time, the airplane collided with terrain following a loss of control and was destroyed. The airline transport pilot suffered fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed.

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Key Takeaways:

  • An airplane collided with terrain at 1845 ET following a loss of control, resulting in fatal injuries for the pilot and destruction of the aircraft, despite prevailing visual conditions.
  • The incident occurred shortly after the pilot acknowledged a clearance to descend from FL240 to 17,000 feet, and the plane was subsequently lost from radar.
  • Witnesses reported hearing loud engine noises and observing the airplane spinning before it descended below their line of sight.
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At 1845 Eastern time, the airplane collided with terrain following a loss of control and was destroyed. The airline transport pilot suffered fatal injuries. Visual conditions prevailed; an IFR flight plan was filed.

The airplane was level at FL240 when the pilot was given a clearance to 17,000 feet. The pilot acknowledged the clearance but the airplane was lost from radar shortly thereafter. Witnesses reported hearing loud engine noises prior to seeing the airplane spinning until it descended below their line of sight.

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