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Aftermath: Unstabilized Approach

Accident analysis that goes behind and beyond the NTSB report. Flying
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The 2015 Hawker jet crash was caused by the first officer's severe lack of fundamental aeronautical knowledge and skill during the approach.
  • The captain, despite recognizing the first officer's critical errors and the dangerously unstable approach, failed to intervene and take control of the aircraft.
  • The first officer had a documented history of substandard performance, including termination from a previous employer for incompetence, which was overlooked by his current employer.
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The Hawker jet was descending through 13,500 feet, near the end of a 34-minute hop from Dayton, Ohio, to Akron Fulton Airport, when one of the passengers leaned through the cockpit door.

Peter Garrison

Peter Garrison taught himself to use a slide rule and tin snips, built an airplane in his backyard, and flew it to Japan. He began contributing to FLYING in 1968, and he continues to share his columns, ""Technicalities"" and ""Aftermath,"" with FLYING readers.

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