At about 2130 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain while maneuvering for an approach. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. An IFR flight plan was in effect. Night instrument conditions prevailed. While approaching the destination, the pilot reported a landing-gear indicator problem to ATC, which then gave the pilot a heading and altitude to fly. The pilot acknowledged the instructions; there was no further communications between ATC and the pilot, nor were there any reported emergency or distress calls. Several witnesses seeing the airplanes red lights appear from the clouds and descend rapidly before impacting the ground, lighting the sky with a post-crash fire. Investigation revealed the airplane impacted a ditch in a near-vertical attitude.
November 17, 2010, Oklahoma City, Okla., Raytheon Aircraft Company B36TC
At about 2130 Central time, the airplane was destroyed when it collided with terrain while maneuvering for an approach. The solo private pilot was fatally injured. An IFR flight plan was in effect. Night instrument conditions prevailed. While approaching the destination, the pilot reported a landing-gear indicator problem to ATC, which then gave the pilot a heading and altitude to fly.
Key Takeaways:
- A solo private pilot was fatally injured when their airplane crashed in night instrument conditions while maneuvering for an approach.
- The pilot had reported a landing-gear indicator problem to ATC and acknowledged new instructions, but no further communication or distress calls were made before the crash.
- Witnesses observed the aircraft rapidly descend from the clouds, impacting the ground in a near-vertical attitude.
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