Piper PA-42 Cheyenne, Prescott, Ariz., Oct. 18, 2006–The NTSB determined that, during air-to-air photography, the Cheyenne photo ship came too close to the subject MiG’s jet core exhaust, causing the separation of the Cheyenne’s T-tail upper section vertical stabilizer. The Cheyenne, registered to Flying Moose, crashed and the ATP-rated pilot and four passengers were killed. The pilots of the two airplanes had discussed the aerial photography flight before takeoff but did not establish a minimum separation distance.
After takeoff, the MiG pilot had a problem with the landing gear and the Cheyenne pilot said he would join up and take a look at the gear. The MiG pilot flew at 9,000 feet msl in a 30-degree right-hand turn at 200 knots (about 90 percent power set) with approach flaps selected (approximately 25 degrees). The MiG pilot saw the Cheyenne meet up with him at his 5 o’clock position about 300 to 400 feet behind him and about the same altitude. In this position, the Cheyenne was in the direct path of the high-velocity jet core exhaust from the MiG. The MiG pilot lost sight of the Cheyenne, then noted smoke from the crash rising from the desert and alerted ATC.
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