Four Killed in December 11 Accident

The NTSB has released its initial report on the crash of a Cessna 414 in Tennessee that left four people dead and one seriously injured. It happened December 11th near the Greenville-Greene County Municipal Airport in VFR conditions, according to the bureau.

The NTSB Preliminary Report

Review of radio transmissions between N1592T and Tri Cities Approach Control revealed the pilot requested to start his descent into Greeneville at 1021:52. The controller asked the pilot if he had the weather and the pilot replied affirmative. The controller advised the pilot to expect some light icing from about 6,000 feet all the way down. The controller asked the pilot if he had the AWOS and if he wanted the localizer approach at Greeneville. The pilot replied affirmative. The controller started vectoring the pilot to the localizer course and informed the pilot to let him know when he wanted to start the descent. The pilot requested to start his descent at 1028:58, and was cleared to 5,000 feet. The controller cleared the pilot to descend and maintain 4,600 feet at 1034:32. At 1041:50, the controller cleared the pilot for the Localizer Runway 5 approach and instructed the pilot to descend and maintain 3,600 until established on the localizer course. The pilot acknowledged the clearance. At 1042:37 the pilot was instructed to change to the advisory frequency and to advise his cancellation down time. The pilot stated at 1042:49, "ok we'll do that thanks." There were no other recorded communications with the pilot of N1592T.

Two witnesses at the at the Greeneville Airport stated they heard the pilot of N1592T call on the UNICOM radio frequency and ask for airport advisories. The pilot was informed the ceiling was 900 feet overcast, winds 260 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to16 knots. The altimeter was 30.16, and the active runway was runway 23. One witness stated a short time later the pilot stated on the UNICOM radio that he was, "localizer 5, circle land runway 23." Both witnesses heard the airplane approaching the airport. They looked outside the window and observed the airplane on a right downwind for runway 23. One witness stated the landing gear was down and the airplane appeared lower than the normal traffic pattern altitude. The airplane also appeared to be in closer than normal to the runway on the downwind leg. The witness estimated the altitude of the airplane was 400 feet. The airplane continued on the downwind until it was out of their line of sight. About 10-15 seconds later both witnesses heard a garbled transmission on the Unicom frequency. The pilot stated, "Emergency, Engine, Ice." They both went outside on the parking ramp and observed smoke about 1.5 miles north northeast of the airport. They called 911 and Tri Cities Tower and reported the accident. While on the parking ramp both witnesses observed two other airplanes that had arrived earlier at the airport with ice on the leading edge of their wings.

Another witness, who was located next to a mailbox at 3055 Whitehouse Road, stated he observed a twin-engine airplane, with the landing gear down, in straight and level flight between 200-250 feet above the ground. He initially thought the airplane had departed from the Greeneville Airport. The airplane was heading almost due north when it made a sharp left turn; estimated at a 60-degree angle of bank. The airplane collided with trees and the ground followed by a ball of fire.

David Jochman Among Crash Victims

The victims were identified as John Saunders, 40, of Tampa; Jochman, 49, of New Port Richey; Laura Jones, 44, of Tampa; and Hani Boutros, 27, of Brandon. Saunders father, John Sr., was reportedly thrown from the aircraft, but survived. He was airlifted to a hospital in Johnson City. He was reported in stable condition.

Jochman (pictured above) was a celebrated pilot, designated the FAA's Southern Region Pilot of the Year. He was also Director of Aviation for a humanitarian organization called "Healing the Children" and was active in the Angel Flight Network, having flown blood to New York City in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov