On December 18, 2025, a Cessna Citation 550, registration N257BW, crashed near Statesville, North Carolina, during a flight intended for Sarasota, Florida. The accident resulted in 7 fatal injuries, claiming the lives of the pilot and six passengers.
What happened
At approximately 09:53, the crew initiated engine starts at Statesville Regional Airport (SVH). During taxi, the pilot and passengers noted an inoperative thrust reverser indicator light for one engine, though the reverser itself was functioning correctly. The aircraft departed runway 10 under visual flight rules (VFR) at 10:06.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft entered a climbing left turn. While the pilot intended to activate an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan, the crew remained in VFR conditions. During the climb, the passenger in the right seat attempted to contact air traffic control three times but was unable to establish communication due to controller workload.
As the aircraft climbed to approximately 2,200 feet, it began a left turn and a descent. The pilot reported that the altitude indicator and other left-side flight instruments were malfunctioning. At approximately 10:11, control of the aircraft was transferred to the right-seat passenger.
By 10:13, the aircraft had descended to roughly 1,870 feet, and the crew noted they could see the ground. The pilot requested the extension of flaps and landing gear, though the gear indicator lights failed to illuminate. The aircraft continued a descent on final approach, with airspeed and altitude steadily decreasing. At 10:15, the aircraft struck the approach light system (MALSR) before impacting the runway blast area, approximately 400 feet short of the runway 28 threshold. A post-impact fire consumed much of the fuselage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR). The CVR audio quality was poor, requiring extraordinary measures to make portions of the recording intelligible. The Garmin GTN-750 unit provided GPS and navigation data, including airspeed and altitude parameters.
Engine examinations showed that both engines remained attached to their pylons with thrust reversers in the stowed position. There was no evidence of uncontained engine failure. While the No. 1 engine fan blades showed damage and missing material at the tips, the low-pressure turbine blades appeared undamaged. The No. 2 engine also exhibited fan blade damage and missing material at the tips.
Findings
- The pilot held a type rating for the CE-500 but was subject to a limitation requiring a second in command.
- The right-seat passenger was not qualified to perform second in command duties per Title 14 CFR part 61.55.
- The aircraft was operating under VFR, but the crew discussed climbing to higher altitudes despite the requirement to remain VFR until receiving IFR clearance.
- Flight instruments on the left side of the cockpit were reported as malfunctioning by the pilot.