Preliminary Report Reveals Last Moments of Cessna Citation Pursued by Military Jets

Preliminary Report Reveals Details of Cessna Citation Crash

A preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Wednesday sheds light on the tragic crash of a Cessna Citation business jet in the west-central Virginia mountains earlier this month. According to the report, the pilot, Jeff Hefner, made contact with air traffic controllers in Atlanta as the jet climbed, reading back an instruction at 1:25 p.m. However, three minutes later, a controller attempted to direct Hefner to a new altitude and received no response.

The aircraft continued to fly for nearly two hours before crashing into the mountains. The crash was linked to a sonic boom heard across the Washington region on June 4, caused by military jets pursuing the Citation. The report confirms that the plane ultimately experienced a “high velocity, near vertical descent” and was completely destroyed upon impact.

The report also reveals that the plane was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder, which could provide crucial information about the events leading up to the crash. However, the device has not yet been recovered. Four people were onboard the plane at the time of the crash, including Adina Azarian, her two-year-old daughter Aria, their nanny Evadnie Smith, and pilot Jeff Hefner.

According to the NTSB report, Hefner had flown the plane from Florida to Tennessee on the morning of the crash, where it received additional fuel and picked up the three passengers. The flight departed at 1:13 p.m., and Hefner was in contact with air traffic controllers as he climbed to 34,000 feet. At 1:28 p.m., a controller attempted to contact the plane to direct it to a lower altitude, but received no response.

As the Citation approached Washington, military F-16 jets were scrambled to pursue it. These jets were given rare authorization to fly at supersonic speeds over an urban area, resulting in the sonic boom. Military pilots were able to observe Hefner slumped over in the cockpit.

Experts believe that the plane lost pressurization, rendering the occupants unconscious, and was under the control of the autopilot. The jet likely flew until one of its engines ran out of fuel. The NTSB report does not mention the plane’s pressurization or autopilot mode.

While the report does not provide a full account of what happened, it aligns with initial theories put forth by experts. John Robbins, a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, stated that the loss of pressurization could have quickly incapacitated the pilot, and the amount of fuel on the plane was sufficient to keep it flying for approximately two hours.

NTSB investigators faced challenging terrain as they hiked to the crash site, where they found scattered wreckage and signs of a fire. The plane, manufactured in 1990, was registered to a corporation in Florida. Hefner, a retired Southwest Airlines captain, had an extensive flying experience, including 850 hours in the type of plane involved in the crash.

The final report, which will provide the causes of the crash and recommendations for safety improvements, is expected to take at least a year to complete.

How was the crash of Ilot Jeff Hefner linked to the sonic boom heard across the Washington region, and what was the cause of the crash

Ilot Jeff Hefner. All four individuals tragically lost their lives in the crash.

The NTSB report highlights the timeline of events leading up to the crash. After making initial contact with air traffic controllers, Hefner acknowledged an instruction at 1:25 p.m. However, just three minutes later, a controller attempted to communicate a new altitude to him but received no response. Despite the lack of communication, the aircraft continued to fly for nearly two hours before crashing into the mountains.

Further investigation revealed that the crash was linked to a sonic boom heard across the Washington region on June 4. It was caused by military jets pursuing the Cessna Citation. The report confirms that the final moments of the plane’s flight involved a “high velocity, near vertical descent,” resulting in complete destruction upon impact.

The report also highlights the presence of a cockpit voice recorder on the aircraft, which could provide crucial information about the events leading up to the crash. However, the device has not yet been recovered, adding another challenge to the investigation.

The crash claimed the lives of all four individuals on board, including Adina Azarian, her two-year-old daughter Aria, their nanny Evadnie Smith, and pilot Jeff Hefner. The tragic loss of their lives serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that can arise in aviation. As the investigation continues, the NTSB will work to gather all available information and determine the cause of this devastating event.