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Unresponsive Aircraft; Socato TBM Turboprop crash near Jamaica.

Discussion in 'Jet Aviation Discussion' started by CaptTom, Sep 5, 2014.

  1. CaptTom

    CaptTom Member

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    Watching on CNN and FlightAware an unresponsive turboprop that departed Rochester NY this morning towards Naples. Appears pilot and passenger(s) not responsive. Frosted windows indicate pressure issue. Now it's running out of fuel, speed decreasing and altitude fluctuating.
  2. CaptTom

    CaptTom Member

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    FlightAware has stopped showing data. This is surreal. Can't imagine what the family is going through while the fate of loved ones is played out on national/international TV. Plane was intercepted by US fighters but broke off when flew over Cuba. Plane came out of Cuba airspace on the south side and appears to have come down on/near Jamaica.
  3. CaptTom

    CaptTom Member

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    Plane is a 2014 Socata TBM single engine turbo prop model, tail N900KN (which is public info as it's plastered on the news).
  4. CaptTom

    CaptTom Member

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    Reporting now that plane has gone down in the water off Jamaica. Will be interesting to find out the issue with this new plane. Condolences to the families.
  5. JetForums

    JetForums Publisher/Admin

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    Looks like it went down north of Jamaica, near the Port Antonio. TBM's have a service ceiling of around 31,000 ft. If it depressurized at that altitude, the pilot may have suffered hypoxia.
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2014
  6. JetForums

    JetForums Publisher/Admin

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    According to CNN, this was a high-time TBM pilot that knew he had a problem. He was at FL280 and had asked for an immediate descent to FL180. ATC could only clear him to FL250 because of traffic. He later acknowledged a descent to FL200 but never descended below FL250.

    This whole scenario is indicative of a pressure drop. If that was the issue, forget ATC and 18,000 ft. Declare an emergency and get down to 10,000! Why request FL180 if the pilot knew something was wrong? Partial Depressurization?