Pilot’s Actions Linked to Fatal Fall from Plane According to NTSB Report
A recent report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sheds light on a tragic incident involving pilot Charles Hew Crooks, who met an untimely demise following an unusual sequence of events aboard a plane in 2022.
Charles Hew Crooks expressed remorse moments before leaving his seat, removing his headset, and making a fateful dash toward the open rear ramp door, according to the NTSB report.
The NTSB report highlights the emotional state of the co-pilot who tragically jumped from a plane bound for Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in 2022. New details emerge regarding this incident, yet the nature of the jump, whether intentional or not, remains shrouded in mystery.
While the pilot-in-command claimed that Charles Hew Crooks’ jump was deliberate, the NTSB report concludes that there is insufficient evidence to support this assertion. Investigators consider the possibility that in his haste, Crooks lost his footing and inadvertently fell from the aircraft.
Charles Hew Crooks met his unfortunate end on July 29, 2022. For months, questions surrounded the circumstances of his death after the plane he co-piloted made an emergency landing without him on board. Crooks’ lifeless body was discovered in the backyard of a Fuquay-Varina home that same day.
According to the NTSB report, the pilot-in-command (PIC) recounted that Crooks, serving as the Second-in-Command (SIC), expressed remorse before leaving his seat, removing his headset, and exiting the plane through the rear ramp door.
The report reveals that Crooks became visibly upset about 20 minutes after damaging the plane’s landing gear during an aborted landing attempt. The pilot-in-command informed air traffic control about the situation, indicating the co-pilot’s unexpected exit from the aircraft.
The report also notes that the SIC felt immense pressure during the flight, considering it crucial due to the presence of the PIC, who also served as the operator’s chief pilot. This added stress and emotional response likely stemmed from the challenging circumstances, which included a hard landing and the SIC’s active involvement in managing the situation.
In July 2022, an emergency landing occurred at RDU Airport due to landing gear malfunction. The aircraft, initially intended for a Raeford landing, was carrying skydivers. After the skydivers disembarked, Crooks reported landing gear issues. As the plane descended below the treeline with Crooks at the controls, the right wheel was lost, according to the report.
The NTSB attributed the hard landing and right main landing gear separation to wind shear during the landing. In response to the emergency, Crooks and the pilot-in-command declared an emergency and requested a diversion to a larger airport. Subsequently, the pilot-in-command took control of the aircraft, and Crooks exited.
Laurent Bert-Roussel, a pilot trained by Crooks, expressed disbelief over Crooks’ decision to jump from the aircraft, considering it an act akin to suicide. He emphasized the lack of sense in such a decision, particularly for an experienced airline pilot.
In July 2022, a co-pilot met his demise after jumping from a plane, leading to an emergency landing at RDU Airport. Subsequently, RDU Airport received reports of a small 10-person plane making an emergency landing with only one pilot on board.
Residents in the Fuquay-Varina neighborhood, where Crooks’ body was discovered, recall hearing a loud thud outside their homes. While they initially saw nothing in their backyard, a police presence grew in the area. Investigators eventually found Crooks’ body caught in nearby trees, devoid of a parachute.
A toxicology report revealed the presence of kratom, an anxiety-relief drug, in Crooks’ system. Although this substance has the potential to cause impairment, the report concluded that there was insufficient evidence to definitively link it to the tragic events.
Crooks served as a pilot for Rampart Aviation, which held a military contract for training and related services. In response to inquiries about Crooks’ actions, the company stated that the investigation had concluded, and they would not provide further comments.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, wral.com