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Associated Press
Raleigh, North Carolina (AP) — The co-pilot who died after jumping off a small plane in North Carolina was upset that he had damaged the plane's landing gear during a failed runaway approach, the federal government said. The National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday.
The captain of the plane told federal investigators that "hard he was clearly upset by the landing" minutes after the co-pilot diverted to another airport for an emergency landing, he said. the report said.
When the co-pilot opened the side window of the cockpit, he "may have felt sick," the report said. He then lowered the ramp at the rear of the plane.
The co-pilot "rose from his seat, removed his headset, apologized, and left the plane through his door on the rear ramp," according to reports.
The incident occurred on July 29, approximately 30 miles (48 km) south of Raleigh-Durham International Airport. 23-year-old Charles Hugh His Crooks had no parachute and his body was found in a backyard in the town of Huquivarina.
Reports on Tuesday said the two pilots had skydived from Rayford West Airport earlier in the day. They were descending towards the airport for their third run when a hard landing occurred.
Crooks was flying on approach when the aircraft "fallen," and both pilots called for go-around maneuvers, the report said. Before the Crooks could begin to climb, the right main landing gear hit the runway.
Another pilot took over the controls, the report said. He instructed Crooks to declare a state of emergency and request a diversion to Raleigh-Durham International Airport for landing. Approximately 20 minutes after the diversion to the RDU, Crookes said he was upset, the report said.
