Pilot Told ATC Left Engine "Kept Power Up And Wouldn't Come Back"

A recently-issued National Transportation Safety Board probable cause report fails to shed any additional light on what may have caused a pilot to lose control of his aircraft in a North Myrtle Beach, SC accident that claimed the lives of a five-member family and their babysitter in 2006.

The pilot, Dr. Jon Kraut, 50, made two approaches at Grand Strand Airport February 3, 2006 in a Beechcraft King Air 200 (file photo of type, right). During the first approach, the aircraft was observed, "fish tailing" while about 30 feet over the runway, according to the NTSB report.

It then appeared to regain control and the pilot requested a go-around, according to witnesses. The air traffic controller asked Kraut if he were having problems with sea fog. He said no, the "left engine kept power up a little too much and would not come back."

After lining up for the second approach, witnesses report Kraut descended to the runway without any indication of trouble. The aircraft then "climbed and rolled left, went inverted and nosed down into the grass to the left of the runway and burst into flames."

The NTSB determined the probable cause to be "the pilot's failure to maintain control during (the) landing approach for undetermined reasons."

The investigation found no abnormal pre-impact conditions that would have interfered with the normal operation of the aircraft.

Krause held an ATP rating and had logged 3,400 hours, according to the NTSB report.

FMI: Read The NTSB Probable Cause Report