CESSNA 425, SAN JOSE, CALIF., MARCH 6, 2002–“Just lost my needle…give me…” was the last transmission controllers heard from the pilot of a Corsair (Conquest I) climbing through 8,000 ft. Preliminary reports suggest the pilot experienced a loss of control in IMC that caused the Corsair’s in-flight breakup. Henry “Hank” Guenther, the 62-year-old instrument-rated pilot, and his two passengers died in the crash.
The flight departed the Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose at 1029 PST and was en route for La Paz, Mexico. After takeoff, ATC cleared the pilot to 13,000 ft and vectored him to join V-485. Following the brief broadcast at 8,000 ft, radar data showed the Corsair began a series of erratic turns, including a 180-deg turn, while the mode-C transponder indicated a descent to 7,100 ft followed by a climb to 8,600 ft. Several smaller descents and climbs preceded a descent through 7,000 ft and the last radar return at 4,100 ft.
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