No Distress Massage Transmitted By The Pilot Prior To Accident

The NTSB has released a preliminary report from an accident which occurred November 30 that fatally injured the airline transport certificated pilot and two passengers on board the Cessna Citation CJ2 business jet.

The airplane was owned and operated by EstoAir LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a business flight. VFR conditions prevailed for the flight which operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The cross-country flight departed Clark Regional Airport (KJVY), Jeffersonville, IN, about 1025, with Chicago Midway Airport (KMDW), Chicago, IL, as the intended destination.

According to the report, preliminary information from radar data and air traffic controllers indicate the airplane was climbing through 6,000 ft mean sea level when it began a left turn, descended, and disappeared from radar. The pilot had previously been given a frequency change, which was acknowledge, however the pilot never reported to the next controller and no distress message was heard on either frequency. An alert notice (ALNOT) was issued for the airplane.

According to local law enforcement, residents near the accident site heard an airplane flying low followed by a loud noise. The airplane wreckage was in slightly rugged, wooded area and the debris field was oriented on a heading of east. The first impact point was identified at the tops of several trees. A large divot was located beneath and to the east of the trees and then the airplane was found fragmented in numerous pieces. The right engine was measured almost 400 feet from the initial impact point. All major airplane components were accounted for at the accident site. There was evidence of a post-impact fire.

The wreckage was documented on-scene and recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

(Source: NTSB. Image from file. Not accident airplane)

FMI: Preliminary Report