The pilot in command (PIC) has 36 flying hours on type and has a type rating for the Beechcraft 390 Premier 1, whereas the second in command (SIC) has no type rating for this aircraft type and had 3 flying hours on type up to the crash flight. In fact the day of the crash was his first day flying the Beechcraft 390 Premier 1. His 3 flying hours on type was made on 2 flights earlier on that day. He was flying as a SIC without having receiving prior type training, it is not a surprise he was unfamiliar with the controls and mistook the "unlock lift dump spoiler" checklist item for errorneously extending it.

The management of the jet charter company is to be blamed for assigning 2 pilots inexperienced with this aircraft type to operate a revenue flight together. Beechcraft is also partly at fault for poorly designing the lift dump spoiler control, allowing the lift dump spoilers to be extended inflight.

This post has been edited by rjmsfire: Aug 20 2024, 01:23 AM