The most noteworthy accident event in the first quarter was the string of fatal Beechcraft Premier I crashes over a period of approximately three weeks, from February 20 to March 17. All three crashes, which killed nine people, involved Part 91 operations and occurred in VMC during takeoff or landing. The two accidents in the U.S. accounted for the only fatalities by U.S.-registered business jets in the first quarter of this year. In the third accident, a Premier crashed in France, resulting in the only fatal accident involving a non-U.S.-registered private business jet in the first quarter. According to initial reports, only the crew of the March 17 U.S. accident communicated with ATC before the crash, declaring an emergency related to engine power loss and hydraulic failure. At press time the NTSB was investigating to determine if there is a common connection among the accidents.
