Cessna Citation violates US Capitol airspace, crashes in Virginia

Preliminary analysis from the (always excellent) blancolirio YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY15feS9Va4

First comment, pinned by Juan:

"UPDATE: 6/6/23 ATC Audio Timeline:
1722:22Z N611VG checks in with Atlanta Center (ZTL) at FL230 and issued a climb to FL290 which was read back correctly.

1725:50Z ZTL issues N611VG a climb to FL340 as the aircraft was passing through FL277. This clearance was acknowledged and read back correctly.

1728:33Z ZTL amends the altitude to FL330 because of traffic in the next sector in Washington Center’s (ZDC) airspace. N611Vg was passing through FL320. This transmission was never acknowledged and ATC was unable to contact N611VG again.

So somewhere between 1725Z and 1728Z (Shortly after takeoff, while climbing out) the event occurred that caused the remainder of the flight to out of contact with ATC. Jb."


F16 Intercept audio, also from Juan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwzrYU_EcCU

If you haven't already subscribed to blancolirio, you should...!

According to an account on Blancolirio channel, ATC calls to the Pilot (on Guard frequency) began just 34 minutes after Takeoff from Elizabethton TN at 1351 local time.

That was the first thing I thought of

Dan Gryder said it was not an oxygen issue because if it were the windows would have been fogged. He says pilot incapacitation and the passengers may not have known anything was wrong till it was too late to react. I understand the mother aboard had zero aviation interest or experience so she probably wouldn't have known even how to operate the radio if she saw the pilot slumped.

The Citation also never violated US Capitol Airspace. Media is gonna media, I guess.

He was headed to the restricted area not responding to calls. RED FLAG!

According to a new report, the pilot had been a commercial pilot, with "a lot of experience" (Their words not mine).
The A/C has been flying between Fl and Tn quite a bit.
It had diverted to MLB on a flt from PBI to CRG a few days earlier.
It took a 14 min. flt around MLB on Saturday.
R.I.P.

Yep, pilot incapacitation. The ce-500 has automatic emergency pressurization in auto mode. Depressurization is highly unlikely. The curtains were closed, Pilot was slumped in the seat. Pax were likely asleep in the back and had no idea until it was too late. A second pilot is cheap insurance IMO.

if no depressurization then O2 system wouldn't matter.

Some airplanes are authorized for single pilot operation, this is one of those airplanes.

Mike is correct. There are a number of small jets that are singe pilot authorized. That said there are a number of hoops that have to be jumber through. The airplane has to be certified for sp operations, the pilot has to be trained checked and qualified (e.g. type rated.) and so on. If you want to read more here's a paper written about the subject:
https://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2010s/media/201317.pdf

Another source of info is the Flight Standards Evaluation Board Report for the Cessna Citation which discusses all kinds of issues and requirements for pilots:

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/2022-08/FSBR_CE-501_551_Rev_0_Draft.pdf

Seems like a good possibility that is what happened. But why would the autopilot make a 180 turn and reverse course back to the southwest?

Last entry on ADS-B Exchange replay showed a decent rate of almost 29,000 ft/min as it did a right-hand spiral. Most likely the starboard engine flamed out first followed by the autopilot disengaging...

Condolences to the family(s) involved.

So far, the evidence shows NO pressurization issue. See Dan Gryder's "Probable Cause" YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBVSvuRMiUE

No, 340 was most likely the last assigned altitude for traffic or something. not sure of your experience but generally you would "stepped" up as you get handed off to the progressive sector. 15,000, the FL230 or so, then if traffic permits your filed for, or they may hold you down and they can also make a lower altitude the "final". sad event

At 33,000 feet in the proper lane.

If true and no transmissions for more than 20 min why weren't the F16's scrambled over NY?

Ms. Watkins, use your inside voice please.

No need to shout, your caps lock is on, Ms Watkins.

One pilot, three passengers (the daughter of the plane’s owner, the granddaughter, and the nanny).

R.I.P.

why do people comment when they know nothing about a subject?

Whoever told you the "speculation is that the oxygen system failed" is out there in LA-LA land. That's already been ruled out. If you heard that on the Tel-A-Lie-Vision, well, that's par for the course and the typical know-nothing media.