NTSB final report fails to solve mystery of copilot's fatal fall

The NTSB released a final report on the 2022 emergency landing of a CASA 212 when a co-pilot exited the plane mid-flight and fell to his death. At the time, the pilot-in-command reported that the second-in-command jumped out of the plane without a parachute, the NTSB found there was insufficient information to support that assertion, indicating that it was possible in his hasty decision to run to the back of the cabin to vomit, he lost his footing and fell to his death. On July 29, 2022 the CASA 212 suffered substantial damage when its right main landing gear impacted the runway at Raeford West Airport (R20) in Raeford, North Carolina. The plane was operating as a Part 91 skydiving flight and was descending in Raeford to pick up a third group. On approach. The plane descended below the tree line and encountered what the PIC described as a windshear. The SIC initiated a go-around but before he could arrest the plane's sink rate and establish a climb the right main landing gear impacted the runway surface and separated from the aircraft. The crew declared an emergency and requested to divert to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), with the PIC now flying and the SIC communicating with Air Traffic Control.RELATED STORIES:NTSB releases report on RDU emergency landing after copilot exited a plane midflight, falling to his deathCopilot found dead after exiting plane mid-flight ahead of emergency landingAbout 20 minutes into the diversion and after conducting approach and emergency briefings, the SIC became visibly upset. The PIC told investigators that at this time, the SIC opened the side cockpit window and lowered the ramp in the back of the plane, telling the other pilot he felt like he was going to be sick and needed air. "He then looked at me and said, ‘I am sorry Mike (PIC)' disconnected his seat belt, dropped his headset and ran out the back of the plane in a head-first dive," the PIC said in an interview with NTSB investigators. The PIC immediately told ATC that the SIC had jumped out of the plane without a parachute. He went on to perform a successful emergency landing. Despite the claims that the SIC's departure from the plane was intentional, the NTSB found insufficient evidence to support this. There were no concerns raised over his state of mind or behavior until the incident. The NTSB reported that a company pilot shared a story in which the SIC had an intense emotional and physical reaction after becoming worried he had lost a fuel payment card. "One time he was so flustered after he dropped the fuel card," a company pilot told the NTSB. "He was so upset with himself. ‘I dropped the card, I can't believe I dropped the card.' His face was red, and he was sweating. I told him to take 20 minutes to walk to the fuel farm and find it. He RAN to the farm and found it. He was hard on himself, really hard. He knew what the customers needed for a precise product, and he really strove for that and wanted to do a good job." It was also indicated to investigators that the SIC felt the accident flight with the PIC, who was also the chief pilot for the operator, was important. This may have added to his stress and emotional response after the hard landing. The SIC's family reported that he was well-liked, happy, smart and pleased to be working for the operator. Co-workers and his father indicated that he was a perfectionist and would be hard on himself if he found he made a mistake. His father told investigators he could see his son becoming physically sick due to the loss of the landing gear on the flight with the Chief Pilot. "(The SIC) strove to be near perfect in everything," a company pilot said. "If we were coming back and we were a few degrees off on the heading, he would chide himself. His approaches were absolutely perfect. I was impressed with his abilities. . . The one thing I noticed is that he wanted to be perfect all the time. He didn't allow himself any slack." The PIC was reported to be well-liked, patient, knowledgeable and respected. A company pilot told investigators he was "very approachable." "He's a guy you never want to disappoint," a company pilot said about the PIC. "He's like your dad, and you'd feel bad if you disappointed him. He's trying to get you to the best and you want to show him your best. He's not banging on the dash." In his initial statements, the PIC said that before he departed the plane the SIC looked visibly upset and apologetic and reported feeling sick. The NTSB said his attempt to increase ventilation in the cabin by opening the window and lowering the ramp, as well as a swift departure from his seat, is consistent with an attempt to address his nausea symptoms and a desire not to vomit in the cockpit. Unfortunately, the SIC made the unsafe decision to run to the back of the cabin with the ramp down and the NTSB notes it is possible he lost his footing when he entered the ramp area and inadvertently fell from the plane. Weather sounding and radar data support the potential for windshear and turbulence and the PIC reported moderate turbulence during the flight. A postaccident toxicology report indicated the finding of mitragynine in the SIC's liver tissue and urine, indicating he had used a kratom product, which could cause impairment. Kratom comes from the leaves of a tropical tree species native to Southeast Asia. Products containing kratom are available online and for retail purchase and typically are consumed by chewing leaves, brewing tea or through extracts, powder or pills derived from the leaves. People using kratom are typically trying to relieve pain, anxiety, depression or opioid withdrawal symptoms. Kratom can disqualify pilots under FAA policy and some of the notable symptoms may overlap with the conditions the users try to treat. Anxiety in kratom users can predispose people to heightened physiological responses to stress which can result in nausea, dizziness or feeling hot or smothered. The NTSB said there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the SIC's use of kratom contributed to the accident. The SIC, 23-year-old Charles Hew Crooks, was later found by emergency crews near a residential area in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. The NTSB determined the probable cause for the emergency landing was the plane's encounter with windshear during landing which resulted in a lard landing and separation of the right landing gear. The agency also reported that the pilot's subsequent decision to leave his seat in flight resulted in his fatal fall.