Level 5 Thunderstorm Leads to Plane Crash

Episode 138

Flight Safety Detectives examine the crash of a Sabreliner twin engine plane in Ironwood, Michigan. The pilots flew into severe weather and did not follow standard procedures to avoid engine flameout.

The pilots were on a day trip transporting two business executives. They flew into a level 5 thunderstorm and lost both engines. The investigation showed they did not use the established checklist for this type of situation.

John discusses the continuous ignition system that was not apparently turned on. That system is designed to allow for quick restart of the engines.

Todd and John highlight key lessons and takeaways including the value of using standard procedures, avoiding weather, flying within aircraft limits, and actions the pilots could have taken.

Related documents available at the FSD website:

• NTSB Final Report (PDF)
• AC 00-24B about Thunderstorms (PDF)
• August 2002 Accident Prevention article about this crash (PDF)

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Don’t miss what’s to come from the Flight Safety Detectives - subscribe to the Flight Safety Detectives YouTube channel, listen at your favorite podcast service and visit the Flight Safety Detectives website.

Music: “Inspirational Sports” license ASLC-22B89B29-052322DDB8