December 14, 2012, Amarillo, Texas – Beech Model E90 King Air

At about 1805 Central time, the airplane impacted terrain following an in-flight break-up. The commercial pilot and single passenger were fatally injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Instrument conditions prevailed. According to communications and radar data, ATC cleared the airplane to FL210 and gave the pilot permission to deviate east of the planned route for weather and traffic avoidance. Shortly thereafter, the airplane appeared to turn to the north and the pilot did not respond to the controller’s radio transmission about the turn. The airplane’s outer wing sections, engines, elevators, and vertical and horizontal stabilizers were separated from the fuselage and located in several directions from the main wreckage, at distances up to one-half mile.

Key Takeaways:

• A commercial airplane experienced a fatal in-flight break-up, killing both the pilot and passenger, and substantially damaging the aircraft under instrument conditions.
• Prior to the crash, the pilot was cleared to FL210 and granted permission to deviate for weather, but subsequently turned north and became unresponsive to air traffic control.
• Extensive wreckage, including separated wing sections, engines, and tail components, was found widely dispersed up to half a mile from the main fuselage, indicating a catastrophic structural failure mid-flight.

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