Departure and Initial Communications
At 1623:41, the pilot of an airplane requested taxi clearance from Green Bay (GRB) tower. Controllers instructed the pilot to taxi to runway 18. At 1626:47, the pilot announced readiness for takeoff. The local controller responded, "proceed on course, cleared for takeoff." Radar data showed the airplane began accelerating down runway 18 at 1627:33.
In-Flight Problem Reported
At 1628:17, the local controller directed the pilot to contact departure control. The pilot replied, "ah papa charlie we have a little problem here we're going to have to come back." When asked what approach he wanted, the pilot stated, "like to keep the vis." The controller then queried, "like the contact approach that what you're saying?" No further response was received from the pilot.
Loss of Radar Contact and Witness Account
At 1628:50, GRB radar depicted the airplane on a heading of 091 degrees at 855 feet msl (160 feet agl) and 206 knots, located 1.28 miles southeast of the airport. Radar contact was lost five seconds later. A witness reported seeing a white private jet flying from the south at approximately a 75–80 degree angle perpendicular to the ground, with its left wing down and teetering. The airplane crossed Main Street with the lower wing tip 20 to 30 feet above power wires, then became perpendicular at a 90 degree angle with the left wing down and crashed into the Morning Glory Dairy warehouse building.
Aircraft Examination and Weather Conditions
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. At 1638, GRB weather was reported as ceilings 200 feet broken, 800 feet overcast, visibility 1/2 statute mile with snow and fog, temperature and dew point both 32°F, winds 120° at 3 knots, and altimeter 29.99 inHg.
Pilot Activity Before Flight
According to witnesses at the fixed-base operator, the pilot arrived after 1600. A mechanic briefed the pilot during the walk-around inspection. The pilot then boarded the airplane, which was towed out and had its tow bar removed. About two minutes later, the engines started, and less than five minutes afterward, the airplane taxied.
Analysis of Pilot Communications
The NTSB Audio Laboratory reviewed radio transmissions to assess the pilot's psychological stress and workload. The pilot's speech characteristics were consistent with increased stress or workload that might accompany a developing emergency. The analysis noted that the pilot's final transmissions showed an unusually long reaction time, suggesting distraction by competing cockpit priorities or difficulty determining an answer, while fast speech and microphone keying indicated urgency to return to other cockpit activities. However, the pilot's statements remained rational with good word choice and grammar, and the relatively small change in fundamental frequency suggested the pilot did not reach an extreme level of stress.