King Air's GPS System Not IFR Certified

The lack of an IFR-certified GPS system and no terrain warning system may have played a role in the crash of a King Air 200 in Virginia October 24th. Ten people, including several members of the Hendrick Motor Sports racing family were killed in the accident on the slopes of Bull Mountain in Virginia.

The NTSB preliminary accident report indicated the flight crew may have failed to properly execute the missed approach at Blue Ridge Regional Airport in Spencerville (VA). While the published procedure calls for an aircraft that goes missed to climb to 2,600 feet and turn right, NTSB investigators said the aircraft apparently descended to 1,800 feet before beginning its climb. It impacted Bull Mountain at the 2,450 foot level.

Flight crews aboard at least 20 other aircraft headed to Blue Ridge for that weekend's NASCAR race at Martinsville decided weather conditions were just too sketchy to make the trip. They opted out, according to investigators. Instead, they landed at Danville Regional Airport, which has a better precision landing system.

As the aircraft descended to 1,800 feet, the flight crew was cleared to climb to 4,400 feet MSL. That clearance was never acknowledged.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov