Preliminary Report Reveals Details of Cessna Citation Crash
A preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Wednesday sheds light on the events leading up to the crash of a Cessna Citation business jet in the west-central Virginia mountains earlier this month. According to the report, the pilot, Jeff Hefner, made contact with air traffic controllers in Atlanta as the jet climbed, reading back an instruction at 1:25 p.m. However, three minutes later, a controller attempted to direct Hefner to a new altitude and received no response.
The business jet continued to fly for nearly two hours before crashing into the mountains. The crash was linked to a sonic boom heard across the Washington region on June 4, caused by military jets pursuing the Citation. The report states that the wreckage indicates a “high velocity, near vertical descent,” and while the jet was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder, it has not been recovered.
Four people were onboard the plane at the time of the crash, including Adina Azarian, her daughter Aria, their nanny Evadnie Smith, and pilot Jeff Hefner. Hefner had flown the plane from Florida to Tennessee earlier that day, where it received additional fuel and picked up the three passengers who were heading home to Long Island after a vacation.
The NTSB report provides few new details about the crash, as it represents the facts gathered by investigators so far. A final report, which will outline the causes of the crash and make safety recommendations, is expected to take at least a year to complete.
Experts have suggested that the plane lost pressurization, rendering the occupants unconscious, and was under the control of the autopilot. The jet likely flew until one of its engines ran out of fuel before rapidly spiraling towards the ground. NTSB investigators faced challenging terrain as they hiked to the crash site, where they found scattered wreckage and signs of a fire.
The Cessna Citation involved in the crash was manufactured in 1990 and owned by John Rumpel, who registered it to a corporation in Florida. Pilot Jeff Hefner, a retired Southwest Airlines captain, had over 34,500 hours of flying time, including 850 hours in the type of plane involved in the crash. Adina Azarian was a prominent figure in the New York real estate industry, and Evadnie Smith was considered part of the family.
The military jets that pursued the Cessna Citation were authorized to fly at supersonic speeds over an urban area, resulting in the sonic boom heard across the Washington region. Military pilots were able to observe Hefner slumped over in the cockpit before the plane eventually crashed in remote, mountainous woods near Montebello, Virginia.
The NTSB investigation is ongoing, and further details about the crash are expected to be revealed in the final report.
What factors, including weather conditions, pilot decision-making, and potential mechanical issues, are being investigated to determine the cause of the crash
Le were on board the Cessna Citation when it crashed, including two passengers who were described as Hefner’s business associates. The identity of the fourth person has not been disclosed. The NTSB report revealed that there were no distress calls made by the pilot, and the reason for the lack of communication remains under investigation.
The NTSB report also highlighted that the military jets pursuing the Citation were not in direct contact with air traffic controllers, as they were operating under visual flight rules. The report did not disclose why the military jets were pursuing the business jet.
Additionally, the report mentioned that the Cessna Citation had undergone a maintenance inspection just two days before the crash, and no anomalies or issues were noted during the inspection. The investigation is currently focusing on factors such as the weather conditions, pilot decision-making, and potential mechanical issues.
The NTSB will continue to analyze data and evidence gathered from the crash site, including radar data, flight data recorders from nearby aircraft, and witness accounts. The full investigation is expected to take several months to complete. In the meantime, the NTSB advises all aircraft pilots and operators to adhere to proper communication protocols and report any anomalies or issues promptly.
The crash of the Cessna Citation serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations to determine the cause of aviation accidents. The findings can help improve safety measures and prevent similar incidents in the future.
This preliminary report sheds light on the chilling events preceding the tragic crash of the Cessna Citation Jet. The details uncovered raise vital questions about the involvement of military jets, urging a thorough investigation to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.