The Airline Transport pilot and Commercial-rated copilot sustained fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed after colliding with terrain at about 1107 Pacific time, shortly after takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. Before departing, one of the linemen observed the copilot loading bags into the left front baggage compartment. He did not see him latch or lock it. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane turned slightly left and began descending; its wings were rocking. It then did a hard right turn, and hit the ground. Examination of the front left baggage door indicated that the key mechanism was in the unlocked position.
January 12, 2007, Van Nuys, Calif., Cessna 525 CitationJet
The Airline Transport pilot and Commercial-rated copilot sustained fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed after colliding with terrain at about 1107 Pacific time, shortly after takeoff. Visual conditions prevailed. Before departing, one of the linemen observed the copilot loading bags into the left front baggage compartment. He did not see him latch or lock it.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane crashed shortly after takeoff in visual conditions, resulting in fatal injuries to both pilots and destruction of the aircraft.
- Prior to departure, a lineman observed the copilot loading bags into the front left baggage compartment but did not see him latch or lock it.
- Post-crash examination confirmed the front left baggage door's key mechanism was in the unlocked position, correlating with the airplane's erratic flight path before impact.
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