Popular Fractional Program Experiences First Fatal Accident

ANN RealTime Update, 11.30.06, 2214: According to a NWS accident notification report, "INITIAL REPORT: THE PLANE WAS ON APPROACH TO KCLT WHEN IT MADE A SHARP NORTH TURN AND RAPIDLY LOST ALTITUDE. THE PLANE WAS EN ROUTE FROM DEKALB-PEACHTREE AIRPORT TO THE CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT."

ANN RealTime Update, 11.30.06, 2211: News reports have now more specifically fixed the accident time as 1945 local time and have confirmed that the aircraft burned upon impact. Reports have also fixed the location as being near the junction of the Gaston and Lincoln county lines. The FAA has confirmed the departure point for this flight as Dekalb-Peachtree airport, in Atlanta, GA.  

Original Aero-News Report: ANN has learned that the popular AirShares Elite GA Fractional program has experienced its first major accident as a 2006 SR22, N665CD, went down while attempting an arrival in Charlotte-Douglas Airport ahead of inclement weather. The 4 place Cirrus went down in a heavily wooded area near Allison Ferry Rd., with only one confirmed POB, who was declared dead at the scene.

ANN has been in contact with numerous officials from the CLT area and none have indicated that there was any attempt or evidence of a BRS deployment from the parachute-equipped aircraft. Fire-fighting and recovery operations at the site have reportedly been curtailed for the moment due to deteriorating weather conditions.

According to AirShares data, the company, 'AirShares Elite' began a "pilot-focused" program in 1999. In December 2000, AirShares acquired its first four aircraft and began to market them from Atlanta's McCollum Airport (KRYY). AirShares initially selected Cessna Aircraft products (prior to their adoption of the modernized G1000 cockpit), but switched over to the updated Cirrus line after sales of the program failed to achieve the levels they expected.

An initial search of NTSB records shows that the program has thus far compiled what appears to be a pretty solid safety record... only one other documented incident shows up in which a Cirrus SR22, N723CD, had an engine fire shortly after takeoff, and the nose landing gear collapsed during an emergency landing in November of 2004, at Falcon Field, Peachtree City, Georgia.

FMI: www.airshareselite.com