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The crew on the Bombardier Challenger 604 that crashed onto a Florida interstate on Feb. 9 had three master warnings over engine oil in the minute before the jet lost both engines and impacted a concrete sound barrier, bursting into flames. Both pilots were killed in the crash and their actions in maneuvering the plane with two failed engines onto the highway without killing the passengers or people on the ground have many hailing them as heroes. The NTSB released its preliminary report but has not named a cause for the engine failure, but all components have been retained for additional examination and the investigation is ongoing.RELATED STORIES:Pilots hailed as heroes in crash that claimed their lives, cause remains mysteryChallenger 604 crashes on Florida highway
On Feb. 9, shortly after 3:00 p.m., the Challenger (N823KD) was returning to the Naples Municipal Airport (APF) from the Ohio State University Airport (OSU), where it was serviced with 350 gallons of fuel before departing. The crew was on a right downwind leg of the approach to the airport and maneuvering for a five-mile final approach to runway 23 when it contacted the ATC tower at APF. The plane was cleared to land at 3:08 p.m. when it was about 6.5 miles north of the airport, about 2,000 ft geometric altitude and at 166 knots groundspeed as it began to turn for the base leg of the pattern.
The NTSB report said the preliminary ADS-B flight track revealed that the first of three Master Warnings were recorded at 3:09:33 p.m. for left engine oil pressure, immediately followed by a second for right engine oil pressure one second later. Another second later a third for engine. The system alerted the pilots with the illumination of a Master Warning light on the glare shield, a corresponding red message on the crew alerting system page and a triple chime voice advisory for engine oil. Twenty seconds later, at about 3:10:05 p.m., the plane was at 1,000 ft msl and 122 kts on a shallow angle for the final approach course.
At this time, the crew announced, "…lost both engines… emergency… making an emergency landing." The tower acknowledged this call and the jet was cleared to land.
Seconds later, at about 3:10:12 p.m., at about 900 ft and 115 kts, the crew replied to the tower," We are cleared to land but we are not going to make the runway… ah… we have lost both engines." This was the final transmission from the crew and ADS-B track data ended at 3:10:47 p.m., directly over Interstate 75.
Dashcam footage captured the final moments of the flight, showing the plane descend into the camera's view in a shallow left turn and then level its wings before touching down, aligning with the vehicles traveling on the southbound lanes of Interstate 75. The left main landing gear touched down first in the center of three lanes, then the right main landing gear touched down in the right lane. The plane continued through the break-down lane and into the grassy shoulder before striking a concrete sound barrier. The view of the plane was then obscured by dust, fire, smoke and debris.
The cabin attendant said she saw that the cabin and emergency exits were blocked by fire, prompting her to coordinate a successful exit of the plane of her passengers and herself through the baggage compartment door in the tail section of the plane. Video from witnesses shows the cabin attendant and two passengers running from the burning flame, letting them know the crew was still on board. Florida pilot Captain Shem Malmquist told Fox 4 Naples that corporate airplanes are not required to have a person with that skill set.
"They were extremely fortunate that this company and this operator chose to do that," Malmquist told Fox 4.
The pilot, 50-year-old Edward Daniel Murphy, and copilot, 65-year-old Ian Frederick Hofmann, were both experienced and their skills in maneuvering a jet with no engine power onto a crowded highway with minimal harm have been heavily praised in the weeks since the crash. When the plane landed on the highway, it impacted two cars, a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2023 Nissan Armada SUV. The 48-year-old Silverado driver was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries and the 66-year-old Nissan driver and her two passengers, an 85-year-old woman and a 31-year-old woman, escaped without injury. The quick-thinking cabin attendant, 27-year-old Sydney Ann Bosmans, and passengers 35-year-old Aaron Baker and 23-year-old Audra Green, survived and were treated for injuries.
The plane was operated by Fort Lauderdale-based company Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Charter. Hop-A-Jet has 42 years in the industry and maintains a fleet of Learjets and long-range Challenger 604 and 605 aircraft. Both the pilot and copilot worked for Hop-A-Jet and the company has a platinum Argus rating.
The NTSB prelim said that both the pilot and first officer had an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for single- and multi-engine land, with numerous type ratings. The pilot's most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on Oct. 10, 2023. Hop-A-Jet reported he had 10,525 total hours of flight experience, of which 2,808 were in the accident plane make and model. The first officer's last FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on Sept. 26, 2023. Hop-A-Jet reported he had accrued 24,618 total hours of flight experience and 138 were in the accident plane make and model.
Parts of the plane were consumed in the post-impact fire, like the forward portion of the fuselage and left wing. Investigators on the scene found the ground surrounding the wreckage to be fuel-soaked and having an odor consistent with Jet-A fuel. Both engine throttle levers were found near the IDLE stop position. Many parts and components were found to have thermal damage from the fire or damage from the initial impact. About 16 ounces of liquid with an order and appearance consistent with Jet-A fuel was drained from the aft tail fuel tank and contained about half an ounce of what appeared to be water.
The auxiliary power unit fuel filter bowl was removed for visual inspection of the fuel and fuel filter and no debris was noted and the filter appeared clean, then retained for additional analysis. The engines and respective pylons were cut from the plane to facilitate recovery. A fuel sample was collected from the No. 1 engine main supply when the line was cut but no fuel was released when the No. 2 engine main supply line was cut.
The left engine was examined, with fuel samples taken with no evidence of debris or foreign material and appearance and odor consistent with Jet-A. The right engine fuel filter bowl displayed evidence of thermal discoloration. Fuel samples were taken from different points in the fuel system and the fuel from the fuel filter bowl and heat exchanger displayed a yellowish tint, while other samples were clear. Samples from the MFC and main fuel pump showed small black debris but the NTSB said this was likely introduced during the removal of the components. The main fuel inlet port showed a small, yellow-covered debris particle.RELATED STORY:Hawker 900XP conducting stall test during deadly crash, NTSB says
The NTSB did not find anomalies during initial examination or visual examination but has retained the MFCs and main fuel pumps, fuel injectors and all collected fuel samples for further examination. The NTSB has also collected both engines for additional examination. A final report can take one to two years to complete and will have more information from the ongoing investigation.