Lombardo covers business aviation maintenance-related issues. He is also a writer and on-air reporter for AINtv. He has over 3000 articles published and is the author of several books on aircraft systems for pilots and on the topic of flight simulation.
He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of Illinois, has taught aviation for over 35 years in industry and as a university professor and academic dean at three different universities. He is also a frequent seminar and after-dinner motivational speaker.&nbsp;
Lombardo holds an A&amp;P Certificate, ATP, CFI and Ground Instructor ratings. He was a corporate pilot and was a research pilot and flight instructor at the University of Illinois. An FAA Safety Counselor for over 25 years, he was one of the original 13 Counselors appointed to the FAA’s Airworthiness Safety Program for maintenance technicians.&nbsp;

Contributor

David A. Lombardo

CESSNA 208B, PARKS, ARIZ., NOV. 8, 2002–At approximately 10:20 a.m. Cessna N514DB, operated by Brown County Financial Services LLC of Snyder, Texas, was destroyed when it crashed following an uncontrolled descent near Parks. The instrument-rated commercial pilot and his three passengers were killed. The aircraft was operating IFR as a Part 91 flight in IMC from Las Vegas to Midland, Texas. 
According to the Albuquerque, N.M. Center, at approximately 10:15 a.m. the pilot requested a climb from 15,000 ft to 17,000 ft. The controller issued the clearance, the pilot acknowledged and less than three minutes later both radar and radio contact were lost. 
The wreckage was located approximately 15 min later. According to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, a witness said he heard engine noises that sounded similar to those of an airplane doing aerobatics. Shortly thereafter, he saw the airplane come out of the clouds in a spin, pointing straight down. It disappeared behind trees, and he heard it hit the ground.

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CESSNA 208B, PARKS, ARIZ., NOV.

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