The airplane broke up in flight at approximately 1400 Pacific time. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. A witnesses reported hearing a loud screaming noise overhead. He observed an airplane traveling south to north, suddenly “disintegrate,” and described the wings and fuselage floating to the ground. Air traffic controllers reported the pilot requested a frequency change while climbing, and when the airplane was at around 7000 feet they lost radar contact. No other radio communications with the pilot were reported.
January 18, 2008, Selma, Calif., Beechcraft V35B
The airplane broke up in flight at approximately 1400 Pacific time. The commercial pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Visual conditions prevailed. A witnesses reported hearing a loud screaming noise overhead. He observed an airplane traveling south to north, suddenly "disintegrate," and described the wings and fuselage floating to the ground. Air traffic controllers reported the pilot requested a frequency change while climbing, and when the airplane was at around 7000 feet they lost radar contact. No other radio communications with the pilot were reported.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane experienced an in-flight breakup at approximately 7000 feet, resulting in the fatal injury of the commercial pilot and destruction of the aircraft.
- A witness reported hearing a loud noise and observing the plane "disintegrate," with its components floating to the ground.
- Air traffic controllers lost radar contact with the airplane after the pilot requested a frequency change during a climb, with no further communications reported.
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