The tragic crash of an experimental aircraft in Pennsylvania in 2022 resulted in the death of the pilot and his passenger, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The aircraft, a Bearhawk Patrol plane, crashed near Hanover Township, killing Michael Bowen, 59, of Jonestown, and Ronald Snyder, 76, of Bernville. Snyder was the pilot of the aircraft. Prior to the fatal flight, the pilot had mentioned to a friend that the plane had a rigging issue that caused it to behave erratically while turning. The friend took the plane for a short flight and noticed the same issue, but the pilot brushed it off.
The fatal flight took off from Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport and was headed to an airport in Lebanon County. Witnesses reported that shortly after the plane leveled off, it began to experience rollovers and sudden changes in pitch. It was during this time that witnesses saw the pilot outside of the aircraft, striking the tail before spiraling off. It was speculated that the pilot may have intentionally unbuckled his seatbelt to investigate the rigging issue he and his friend had noticed earlier. This action may have led to an abrupt pitching moment that caused the pilot to be ejected from the plane, ultimately leading to the crash.
Investigations did not find any evidence of mechanical issues with the engine that could have contributed to the crash. Toxicology reports revealed the presence of non-impairing medications in the pilot’s system, ruling them out as factors in the accident. It was determined that the impact of the pilot on the tail section caused damage and a loss of control that the passenger would not have been able to recover from. The plane had climbed to 1,700 feet before it crashed, descending 400 feet in less than two seconds prior to impact. The tragic accident highlighted the importance of addressing any potential issues with aircraft before taking off in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The investigation into the crash of the experimental aircraft in Pennsylvania in 2022 revealed that the pilot may have unintentionally caused the crash by investigating a rigging issue mid-flight. Witnesses reported seeing the pilot outside the aircraft, striking the tail before spiraling off, ultimately leading to the crash that claimed the lives of the pilot and his passenger. The presence of non-impairing medications in the pilot’s system was ruled out as a contributing factor in the accident. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of addressing any potential issues with aircraft before taking off to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.
The tragic crash of an experimental aircraft near Hanover Township in Pennsylvania resulted in the death of the pilot and his passenger in 2022. The aircraft, a Bearhawk Patrol plane, crashed after the pilot fell out of the plane and struck the tail, causing a loss of control that led to the fatal crash. The pilot had mentioned a rigging issue that caused the plane to behave erratically while turning, which may have prompted him to investigate mid-flight. The investigation did not find any mechanical issues with the engine that could have contributed to the crash, and toxicology reports ruled out medications in the pilot’s system as factors. The crash served as a tragic reminder of the importance of addressing any potential issues with aircraft before taking off to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s report on the crash of an experimental aircraft in Pennsylvania in 2022 revealed that the pilot may have intentionally unbuckled his seatbelt to investigate a rigging issue during the flight, ultimately leading to the fatal crash. Witnesses reported seeing the pilot outside the aircraft, striking the tail before spiraling off, causing a loss of control that the passenger would not have been able to recover from. The investigation found no mechanical issues with the engine and ruled out medications in the pilot’s system as factors in the accident. The tragic incident underscored the importance of thorough pre-flight checks and prompt resolution of any potential issues with aircraft to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew on board.
