Copilot’s Departure of Aircraft in Mid-Flight Baffles Authorities

Co-pilot departs aircraft without a parachute before emergency landing.

Monday, August 01, 2022 at 04:18 PM ET

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A CASA C-212 Aviocar, similar to this one, made an emergency, one-wheel landing Friday at KRDU. [Courtesy: US Air Classics]

Key Takeaways:

Authorities are investigating the mysterious mid-flight departure of a non-parachute-wearing copilot, Charles Crooks, whose body was found 20 miles from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (KRDU).
The incident occurred as the CASA C-212 Aviocar aircraft was approaching KRDU for an emergency landing after losing its right main landing wheel.
The pilot successfully executed a belly landing at KRDU with only minor injuries, while investigators are baffled by the circumstances of the copilot's departure.

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Federal authorities and those in Wake County, North Carolina, are trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the departure of a non-parachute-wearing copilot from an aircraft in mid-flight heading toward Raleigh-Durham International Airport (KRDU).

The airplane, a Spanish made CASA C-212 Aviocar, is an unpressurized, high-wing, turboprop with fixed landing gear. Registered to Spore LTD, in Colorado, the C-212 is designed for cargo hauling and is popular with skydiving operations.