At 14:40 eastern time, a Cessna 210M broke up in flight near Pittsfield, killing both people aboard. The airplane was cruising at 11,000 feet on an IFR flight plan when it began making several turns left and right, eventually heading in the opposite direction. The airplane then lost 4,000 feet in 24 seconds, at which point transponder returns were lost. Primary returns continued for another 90 seconds. Several witnesses reported hearing a crack and seeing the airplane spiraling down under high power with much of its left wing missing. One Airmet had been issued for occasional moderate turbulence below 10,000 feet and another one had been issued for occasional moderate rime or mixed icing. The freezing level was forecast at 7,000 to 10,000 feet.
October 05, Pittsfield, Pa. / Cessna Centurion
At 14:40 eastern time, a Cessna 210M broke up in flight near Pittsfield, killing both people aboard. The airplane was cruising at 11,000 feet on an IFR flight plan when it began making several turns left and right, eventually heading in the opposite direction. The airplane then lost 4,000 feet in 24 seconds, at which point transponder returns were lost. Primary returns continued for another 90 seconds. Several witnesses reported hearing a crack and seeing the airplane spiraling down under high power with much of its left wing missing. One Airmet had been issued for occasional moderate turbulence below 10,000 feet and another one had been issued for occasional moderate rime or mixed icing. Th...
Key Takeaways:
- A Cessna 210M broke up in flight near Pittsfield at 14:40 ET, killing both people aboard.
- The aircraft, while cruising at 11,000 feet, executed erratic turns, reversed course, and rapidly lost 4,000 feet before witnesses reported its left wing missing and a spiraling descent.
- Forecast weather included Airmet-issued moderate turbulence below 10,000 feet and moderate rime/mixed icing, with the freezing level between 7,000 and 10,000 feet.
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