What happened
On December 17, 2013, a Raytheon Aircraft Company 390, registration N50PM, was returning to Fulton County Airport – Brown Field (FTY) in Atlanta, Georgia, when it struck trees and terrain. The aircraft was consumed by an explosion and a post-crash fire. The pilot and the sole passenger, both of whom were fatally injured, were on a night personal flight under visual meteorological conditions.
Following takeoff at 1920 EST, the cockpit voice recorder captured the pilot addressing aircraft system issues. During the flight, the passenger asked if the cabin heat had been turned on. Shortly after, the pilot notified air traffic control that the aircraft needed to return to the airport due to a problem. While the aircraft was on the downwind leg for runway 2/6, the enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) issued 11 alerts, including obstacle, terrain, and stall warnings. The aircraft subsequently impacted trees and the ground.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the flight recorders. The aircraft's engines, both Williams-Rolls FJ44-2A models, showed no evidence of malfunction or abnormalities. The EGPWS recorded 13 alerts over two separate periods, including a "Caution Obstacle" alert triggered by a smokestack and several "Obstacle Pull-Up" warnings. The flight management computer (FMC) and air data computer (ADC) were examined; while some data was corrupted or showed nuisance faults, no mechanical failures were identified that would have prevented normal operation.
An autopsy of the pilot revealed multiple blunt force injuries as the cause of death. Toxicology reports identified several prescription medications, including those for heart disease, as well as traces of marijuana. Notably, the testing also detected methylone, a synthetic stimulant, in the pilot's blood, liver, and lungs.
Findings
- The pilot was operating in a high-workload environment while maneuvering visually at a low altitude at night, managing inbound traffic, and responding to multiple EGPWS alerts and cabin temperature concerns.
- The pilot's impairment from the use of illicit drugs likely contributed to the loss of aircraft control.