Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

AOPA’s Air Safety Institute (ASI) today released an <a href="https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning/early-analysis/N357HE">Early Analysis video</a> that provides an initial examination of the Pilatus PC-12 crash north of Gillette, Wyoming, that occurred last Friday. The instrument-rated private pilot and six passengers aboard the turboprop single perished in the accident.
Registered as N357HE to Haynie Enterprises, the PC-12 was two hours into a flight from Nebraska City Municipal Airport (KAFK), where a fuel stop was made, to Montana’s Billings Logan International Airport (KBIL) when it crashed. <a href="https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N357HE/history/20240726/1620Z/KAFK/KBIL/tracklog">FlightAware flight data</a> indicates that the aircraft was at FL260 when it began to experience altitude oscillations about three minutes before the crash. N357HE’s ADS-B transmissions ceased at 23,400 feet.
“The pilot reported autopilot trouble and problems controlling the aircraft while in cruise flight at 26,000 feet msl. He tried to regain control of the aircraft as he declared an emergency with air traffic control,” said ASI senior v-p Mike Ginter. “The NTSB will likely look at en route weather, aircraft equipment, and pilot experience and proficiency.”
He added, “As pilots, it is imperative that we continuously train for and be prepared to manage sudden in-flight system malfunctions to help us maintain positive control of our aircraft.”
ASI’s Early Analysis videos “provide an initial assessment of prominent accidents that generate large public interest and may indicate important safety lessons for the general aviation community.”

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

AOPA Air Safety Institute Issues Early Analysis of PC-12 Crash in Wyoming

Turboprop single experienced altitude oscillations just before crash

An AOPA Air Safety Institute video provides an early analysis of the Pilatus PC-12 crash north of Gillette, Wyoming, on July 26.

AOPA ASI Issues Early Analysis of PC-12 Crash in Wyoming

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In this article

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