Story ID: 
NTSB Dispels Myth of Caravan Midair Collision
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: In its January 10 modified final report on the fatal crash of a Cessna Caravan more than three years ago, the NTSB said thre was “no evidence of an in-flig
Word Count: 155
In its January 10 modified final report on the fatal crash of a Cessna Caravan more than three years ago, the NTSB said thre was “no evidence of an in-flight collision or breakup, or of external contact with a foreign object.” There had been speculation in the industry that the freight-carrying turboprop single might have collided with another object or airplane, perhaps a nearby FedEx DC-10, before it lost control and crashed on Oct. 23, 2002, killing the sole-occupant pilot. The meaning of the pilot’s last transmission that he needed to deviate could not be determined. Red marks found on the wreckage were caused by parts of the airplane and its cargo and other items, the Safety Board said. There was no sign of damage on the DC-10. The accident occurred at night, with the moon obscured by low clouds, and the NTSB determined that the pilot suffered spatial disorientation, which resulted in loss of airplane control.