A pilot of a Cessna Citation 550 carrying an organ transplant team that crashed in Lake Michigan in early June reported to air traffic control that the aircraft had runaway trim, as AVweb previously reported. An investigation update from the NTSB says a pilot is also heard telling the other pilot to take the controls of the aircraft while he pulled circuit breakers. The aircraft crashed a short time later, killing all six people on board. According to the NTSB, the aircraft took off from General Mitchell Field in Milwaukee and climbed to 4,400 feet in two stages within the first two minutes. It then descended at 2,260 fpm until it crashed. A team of experts is now going over the cockpit voice recorder information, but it seems clear the crew was having trouble controlling the plane shortly after takeoff. Examination of the wreckage has also shown that pitch, yaw and roll trim were not set in the neutral position when the plane crashed. The significance of this is being studied and more instruments and equipment are being examined. More information will be released as the investigation proceeds.
Medical Flight Pilot Reported Runaway Trim
Key Takeaways:
- A Cessna Citation 550 carrying an organ transplant team crashed into Lake Michigan, killing all six on board, after the pilot reported "runaway trim" shortly after takeoff.
- The NTSB investigation revealed the crew struggled with aircraft control, with one pilot instructing the other to take controls while he attempted to pull circuit breakers.
- Wreckage analysis showed the aircraft rapidly descended after reaching 4,400 feet, and its pitch, yaw, and roll trim settings were not in a neutral position at the time of the crash.
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