Investigators Looking At Possible Fuel Starvation
One witness was "shocked" to find no one was killed when a
Beechcraft C-90 King Air went down Wednesday night on approach to
Chattanooga Municipal Airport.
Witnesses told The Associated Press the aircraft impacted the
parking lot of the Brainerd Village Shopping Center, about 2,000
feet from the approach end of the runway. The plane was inbound
from Birmingham, AL.
The plane's pilot radioed an emergency to the Chattanooga tower,
according to local reports. One witness's description seems to
indicate the aircraft's propellers were windmilling as it passed
overhead.
"As it got over where I figure Eastgate would be, it sounded
like it was just whistling through the air," Wes Benton told the
Chattanooga Times Free Press. "A few seconds later, I heard the
crash."
The plane struck at least two vehicles; no one in those vehicles
was injured, authorities said. The aircraft (type shown below) also
clipped a power pole on its way down.
There was no post-impact fire. Investigators are reportedly
exploring the possibility fuel starvation may have led to the
accident.
One bystander who helped pull the plane's occupants from the
wreckage, medical assistant Melissa Davis, said all four passengers
onboard the mangled King Air were conscious and talking when they
were rescued.
"I was shocked that no one was killed," added witness Robin
Flores, who also rushed to the scene.
All four passengers on the plane are being treated in local
hospitals. Officials say Ron Turner is in guarded condition; his
son Daren, and brother-in-law Louis Mullins are listed as fair.
The plane's pilot, whose name and condition was not released,
was also being treated at the hospital.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 10TM
Make/Model: BE9L Description: 90, A90
TO E90 KING AIR (T-44, VC-6)
Date: 09/20/2007 Time: 0014
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury:
None Mid Air: N Missing:
N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: CHATTANOOGA State: TN Country:
US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT ON FINAL TO LAND, ENGINES FAILED AND AIRCRAFT
CRASHED INTO A
PARKING LOT 1/2 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT, CHATTANOOGA, TN
INJURY DATA Total
Fatal: 0
# Crew: 1 Fat:
0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk: 1
# Pass: 3 Fat:
0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk: 3
# Grnd:
Fat: 0 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
WEATHER: 2353Z 03007KT 10SM CLR 27/14 A3012
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase:
Other Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: NASHVILLE, TN
(SO03)
Entry date: 09/20/2007