The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has disclosed new insights into the small plane crash involving a UNC medical aircraft at RDU airport.

Incident Details

The crash, which transpired in April, involved a plane from the UNC Air Operations fleet, carrying Dr. Paul Chelminski, an internal medicine physician with UNC Health, and pilot Art Johnson. Both occupants sustained injuries, with Chelminski experiencing minor harm while Johnson’s injuries were more severe.

Sequence of Events

According to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) preliminary report, the aircraft attempted to land but bounced, initiating a missed approach before ultimately crashing. Dr. Chelminski described the plane’s behavior during the final approach as akin to rolling and tobogganing, with sensations reminiscent of descending a snowy hill. He also noted a perception of power loss, although he couldn’t ascertain if the engine had ceased functioning.

Lack of Communication

Critical information emerged from the NTSB report, indicating a lack of communication between the occupants. Dr. Chelminski revealed that there were no announcements made by the pilot, and communication ceased from the runway until the crash site.

Aircraft Details

The small plane involved in the incident was identified as a Socata TBM-850, owned by Medical Air Inc. Manufactured in 2006, it underwent its latest annual inspection in August. Despite being part of the UNC Air Operations fleet, the plane’s operations ended tragically with the crash.

Conclusion

The NTSB’s findings shed light on the circumstances surrounding the UNC medical plane crash, highlighting potential factors contributing to the incident. The lack of communication and the plane’s behavior during the approach underscore the complexity of aviation safety, emphasizing the importance of thorough investigations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

(Source: WTVD-TV, 2024)

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