2008 Hawker Beechcraft 58 Crash at Burke Lakefront Airport (N3217L)

Accident Overview and Flight History On January 16, 2008, at approximately 1922 Eastern Standard Time, N3217L, a Hawker Beechcraft Corp. 58, sustained substantial damage after impacting Lake Erie during its climb following takeoff from Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) in Cleveland, Ohio. The aircraft was operating a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight in night visual meteorological conditions. The flight originated at BKL and was destined for Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG) in New York. No flight plan was on file. The airline transport rated pilot sustained fatal injuries. Prior to the flight, the pilot requested a standard visual flight rules weather briefing. A witness observed the pilot preflight the aircraft, noting the engines revving and the aircraft jumping its chocks before taxiing for departure. An air traffic controller reported that the pilot was cleared to taxi to runway 24L and requested flight following to IAG. After receiving a takeoff clearance that included an approved right turn on course, the controller observed the aircraft descend during the right turn and impact the lake. The controller subsequently notified airport fire and rescue and Coast Guard contacts. Another witness at the airport described seeing the aircraft's lights in an unusual configuration and a steep descent angle of approximately 45 degrees from west to east. The witness initially thought it was a helicopter but observed the aircraft continue its descent into the lake, followed by a line of fire 20 to 30 yards long that burned for four to five minutes.