The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued its preliminary report regarding the August 5th plane crash in Jamestown, NY. The incident involved a Cessna 750 that had departed from Chautauqua County Dunkirk Airport (DKK) en route to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) to pick up parts and a mechanic for work on another company aircraft.
In an interview with Buffalo News Anchor Michael Wooten, ACSF President and CEO Bryan Burns provided further insights into the incident. Burns explained that the aircraft suffered an “electrical issue,” which led to limited visibility. “Pilots are trained get the airplane on the ground as soon as possible…and that’s where the pilot skills come in.”
According to the report, the aircraft climbed to 10,000 feet before the flight crew lost communication with air traffic control. Despite repeated attempts by the controller to contact the crew, communication was only re-established intermittently. During the final moments, the crew transmitted a garbled message indicating they were preparing to land at Jamestown. The aircraft ultimately impacted the ground approximately 200 feet before the runway in a flat attitude.
The report highlights critical in-flight issues, including the co-pilot’s account of detecting an “electrical smoke” odor during the climb, although no visible smoke was present. As the aircraft descended through 10,000 feet, the pitch trim malfunctioned, causing excessive acceleration and creating significant control challenges. The crew received multiple caution alerts, but communication with the controller remained difficult.
After the emergency landing, the aircraft’s cabin filled with smoke and was quickly engulfed in fire. Both the pilot and co-pilot were able to evacuate the plane safely despite the harrowing conditions. The investigation remains ongoing as the NTSB continues to gather more information.
The Air Charter Safety Foundation will continue to monitor the findings as the investigation progresses.
