safety
Fatal Hawker Crash Highlights Dangers of Post-Maintenance Stall Checks
The NTSB recently detailed the causes behind a fatal February 2024 Hawker 900XP crash, which occurred during a post-maintenance stall check in probable icing conditions. The crew, despite having over 23,000 combined flight hours, deviated from strict altitude and weather requirements, triggering an unexpected premature roll. Startled by the sudden upset, the pilot in command incorrectly held full aft elevator, driving the jet into an unrecoverable flat spin. This tragedy illustrates how the startle effect can instantly override decades of training during unexpected stall behavior.