Investigators Looking At Possible Fuel Starvation

One witness was "shocked" to find no one was killed when a Beechcraft C-90 King Air went down Wednesday night on approach to Chattanooga Municipal Airport.

Witnesses told The Associated Press the aircraft impacted the parking lot of the Brainerd Village Shopping Center, about 2,000 feet from the approach end of the runway. The plane was inbound from Birmingham, AL.

The plane's pilot radioed an emergency to the Chattanooga tower, according to local reports. One witness's description seems to indicate the aircraft's propellers were windmilling as it passed overhead.

"As it got over where I figure Eastgate would be, it sounded like it was just whistling through the air," Wes Benton told the Chattanooga Times Free Press. "A few seconds later, I heard the crash."

The plane struck at least two vehicles; no one in those vehicles was injured, authorities said. The aircraft (type shown below) also clipped a power pole on its way down.

There was no post-impact fire. Investigators are reportedly exploring the possibility fuel starvation may have led to the accident.

One bystander who helped pull the plane's occupants from the wreckage, medical assistant Melissa Davis, said all four passengers onboard the mangled King Air were conscious and talking when they were rescued.

"I was shocked that no one was killed," added witness Robin Flores, who also rushed to the scene.

All four passengers on the plane are being treated in local hospitals. Officials say Ron Turner is in guarded condition; his son Daren, and brother-in-law Louis Mullins are listed as fair.

The plane's pilot, whose name and condition was not released, was also being treated at the hospital.

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 10TM        Make/Model: BE9L      Description: 90, A90 TO E90 KING AIR (T-44, VC-6)
  Date: 09/20/2007     Time: 0014

  Event Type: Accident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Destroyed

LOCATION
  City: CHATTANOOGA   State: TN   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT ON FINAL TO LAND, ENGINES FAILED AND AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A
  PARKING LOT 1/2 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT, CHATTANOOGA, TN

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   1
                 # Pass:   3     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   3
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   

WEATHER: 2353Z 03007KT 10SM CLR 27/14 A3012

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Other      Operation: OTHER

  FAA FSDO: NASHVILLE, TN  (SO03)                 Entry date: 09/20/2007

FMI: www.faa.gov