Raleigh, North Carolina — New information about the man who died before his plane made an emergency landing at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in 2022 indicates he intentionally jumped from the plane.
According to a National Transportation Safety Board report, the pilot-in-command (PIC) said that Crooks, deputy pilot-in-command (SIC), said, “I’m sorry,” before getting up from his seat, taking off his headset, and running out of the vehicle. Became. Board the plane through the rear ramp door.
The pilot then told air traffic controllers that the co-pilot had jumped from the back of the plane without a parachute.
The company’s pilot said Mr Crooks “appeared to have become concerned that he had lost his fuel payment card and had a disproportionate and intense emotional and physical reaction.”
The report goes on to say, “The pilot and his family also indicated that the SIC felt that the accident flight with the captain, who was also the pilot’s chief pilot, was very important. This may have contributed to the stress and It would have heightened the emotions even more.” During the 20-minute flight as a supervisory pilot, the SIC was actively engaged in communicating with air traffic control, reviewing emergency procedures, and making recommendations to the captain. Detour airport landing runway. ”
The plane was carrying skydivers and was originally scheduled to land in Raeford. The pilots had reported problems with the landing gear and encountered wind shear as the plane descended below the treeline.
The crew declared a state of emergency, reported the right wheel missing, and requested a diversion to a larger airport. Given the circumstances, the captain took control of the plane while Mr Crooks communicated with air traffic control. Eventually, RDU Airport received a report that a small 10-seater plane had made an emergency landing at the airport.
The NTSB said the plane encountered wind shear during landing, made a hard landing, and the right main landing gear separated.
Mr. Crooks was a pilot for Rampart Aviation, which has a contract with the military to provide training and other services.
Family members in the Fuquay-Varina area where Crooks was found told WRAL News they were at home when they heard a loud thud outside. Nothing was visible in the backyard, but within hours the streets were filled with police. That night, investigators found Crooks’ body, without a parachute, stuck in a tree in the backyard.
A toxicology report said kratom, which can cause impairment, was found in Crooks’ system. But the report said there was insufficient evidence to determine whether kratom use contributed to the situation.