Expert Q&A: Pilot answers questions about Naples plane crash
Note to readers: On Friday, Feb. 9 a Bombardier Challenger 600-series jet crash-landed on the southbound side of I-75 outside of Naples, just north of the highway's eastern turn, which runs along the area known as Alligator Alley. The plane hit an SUV and a truck; the drivers and passengers in those vehicles survived. Five were onboard the jet: a pilot, copilot, a crew member and two passengers. The pilot and co-pilot were killed. The Collier County Sheriff's Office identified the dead as pilot Edward Daniel Murphy, 50, of Oakland Park, Fla., and Ian Fredrick Hoffman, 65, of Pompano Beach, Fla.
Kevin Sullivan, 62, is a pilot who lives in Denver. He's been a pilot for 29 years, ever since graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has experience with Bombardier jet products. His current status as a pilot is: retired/recreationally. He's also been a writer for Privatejetclubs.com for three years.
Q. What was your reaction when you first heard about the crash?
SULLIVAN: When I first heard about the crash, my immediate concern was for the safety of those involved. I know the aviation community is tightly-knit, so news of such an incident is always distressing. My thoughts went out to the families of the victims and the survivors, and I hoped for the best possible outcome amidst such a tragic event.
Q. The pilot is heard saying that both engines stopped working, does this surprise you to hear that?
SULLIVAN: Yes, it's indeed surprising to hear that both engines had shut down. While it's not unheard of, it's extremely rare for both engines to fail simultaneously, especially in modern aircraft with redundant systems. Such a scenario would be a pilot's worst nightmare. However, it's crucial to wait for the results of the investigation to understand the exact circumstances surrounding the engine failure.
Q. What could be the causes of both engines not working?
SULLIVAN: The simultaneous loss of both engines could be due to various factors. Bird strikes are a possibility, especially during takeoff or landing phases when the aircraft is at lower altitudes. Fuel exhaustion or contamination are also potential causes, although modern aircraft are equipped with systems to prevent such occurrences. Mechanical failures or other system malfunctions cannot be ruled out either. Each possibility must be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities to determine the root cause. As a pilot, it's imperative to remain open to all possibilities until the investigation is complete, rather than speculating prematurely.
Q. If the aircraft was out of fuel, could there still be the kind of fire we see in the videos just after the crash?
SULLIVAN: Yes, even if the aircraft is out of fuel, other flammable materials such as hydraulic fluid, engine oil, or materials in the cabin could ignite upon impact.
Q. What is the training or protocols for a pilot who has lost and engine or engines? Can you detail what might have been going on in the cockpit?
SULLIVAN: Pilots are trained to handle engine failures through procedures outlined in the aircraft's emergency checklist. In the event of an engine failure, the pilots would attempt to identify the issue, possibly restart the engine if feasible, and then consider alternative options for landing safely. In the cockpit, they would be focused on troubleshooting the issue, communicating with air traffic control, and assessing available landing options.
Q. Have you ever experienced engine failure when you were piloting a plane?
SULLIVAN: No. It's a scenario that pilots train for and are prepared to handle through regular training and simulation exercises.
Q. When the engine(s) go, what happens? No power? No steering? Just gliding and dropping?
SULLIVAN: In the event of an engine failure, there would be a loss of thrust, resulting in a decrease in airspeed and altitude. However, the aircraft's control surfaces would still be functional for steering, allowing the pilot to maintain control and attempt a safe landing.
Q. What is the training for knowing you aren't going to make the runway? What are the priorities for landing options — highways, rivers, lakes, open spaces of land?
SULLIVAN: Pilots are trained to prioritize safety and assess available landing options if they determine they cannot reach a runway. Factors such as terrain, obstacles, and the presence of people are considered when choosing a landing site. Highways, rivers, lakes, and open spaces of land are all potential options depending on the circumstances of the emergency.
Q. Once it is determined the airport can't be reached — in this case the jet was 4.7 miles away from the Naples Airport — what is a pilot doing in terms of looking for a place to land?
SULLIVAN: The pilot would scan the surrounding area for suitable landing sites, considering factors such as accessibility, terrain, and obstacles. They would communicate with air traffic control and assess their options while maintaining control of the aircraft.
Q. Being that close to the airport in miles, can you say time-wise how close the plane was to landing at the airport when it crashed?
SULLIVAN: Without specific flight data, it's challenging to determine the exact time it would have taken to reach the airport. Factors such as altitude, airspeed, and the aircraft's glide ratio would affect the time it would take to reach the airport.
Q. Some have speculated that the pilot might have been attempting to land the jet on a golf course on the other side of the sound barrier along I-75. Would that make sense to you?
SULLIVAN: In an emergency situation, pilots are trained to consider all available landing options, including nearby open areas like golf courses, if they can be safely reached. Without further investigation, it's difficult to confirm the pilot's intentions. Its very situational, it sounded on the ATC recording that a quick decision was being made, the Investigation will have to play out to identify
Q. There were five people on the jet. How many passenger can that particular jet accommodate?
SULLIVAN: The Bombardier Challenger 604 typically accommodates around 10 to 12 passengers in a standard configuration, depending on the seating arrangement chosen by the operator. This Aircraft in the private aviation is considered a Heavy Jet.
Q. Are you surprised three people walked away from this crash?
SULLIVAN: As a pilot, I'm relieved to hear that some individuals survived the crash. However, each situation is unique, and survival depends on various factors such as the severity of the crash and the preparedness of the passengers and crew. This crew put the aircraft in the best possible situation for an outcome of lives being saved.
Q. How close was the jet to making the airport in terms of time?
SULLIVAN: Unfortunately, it was very close to the airport, Within 20-30 seconds however at low altitude and no engine power it is an impossible task to make it to the runway.
Q. Considering everything, and from what you have read and seen, does it appear the pilot did everything he could have done to limit the damage and harm to people?
SULLIVAN: It appears that the crew of the aircraft positioned it in the best possible manner to prioritize the safety of those on board and prevent any loss of life on the ground. Their actions suggest a commitment to mitigating the severity of the incident and ensuring the well-being of both passengers and individuals in the surrounding area. By their quick thinking and decisive actions, they demonstrated exemplary professionalism and dedication to preserving lives amidst challenging circumstances.
Q. What was the NTSB looking for in its investigation at the scene?
SULLIVAN: During an investigation at the scene of an aviation accident, the National Transportation Safety Board meticulously examines wreckage to assess damage and identify signs of mechanical failure or structural issues, recovers and analyzes the black boxes (Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder) for crucial data and audio recordings, analyzes environmental factors such as weather conditions and terrain features, conducts interviews with surviving crew member and witnesses to reconstruct the sequence of events, reviews maintenance records to assess prior mechanical issues, examines air traffic control communications and radar data to understand the aircraft's flight path and communication exchanges, evaluates human factors including crew performance and workload, and verifies compliance with aviation regulations, all in an effort to determine the probable cause of the accident and make recommendations for improving aviation safety.
Q. What else can you tell us about this particular aircraft that crashed?
SULLIVAN: The Bombardier Challenger 604 is a top-notch business jet known for its excellent performance and luxury. It was introduced in 1995 and quickly became popular for its upgrades from the previous Challenger 601 series. With powerful General Electric CF34-3B turbofan engines, it can fly up to 4,000 nautical miles without stopping, making it great for long trips. It cruises at Mach 0.74 and reaches a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet, ensuring a smooth and fast ride to various airports.
Inside, the cockpit is equipped with advanced avionics like the Collins Pro Line 4 suite, making flying safer and more efficient. Pilots benefit from features like the Enhanced Vision System for better visibility in bad weather and the Integrated Flight Management System for easier navigation. The cabin is spacious and luxurious, with comfortable seats, high-end furnishings, and modern entertainment systems including high-speed internet. With amenities like a gourmet kitchen and room for up to 12 passengers, the Challenger 604 offers the ultimate luxury experience for both leisure and business travelers.
Q. Any closing thoughts?
SULLIVAN: I consider these pilots heroes in the situation they were in. Based on the ATC recordings, there was little time to make a quick decision. The cabin hostess (flight attendant) being able to assist the passengers off of this aircraft shows that she was able to handle unimaginable pressure.
I will note an important finding that Hop-A-Jet had an intensely close call in Boston on Feb. 27 last year when it took off with out clearance, nearing a collision with a JetBlue aircraft.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Experienced pilot answer questions about Naples plane crash
