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Tragedy in the Air: January 8, 2003

The aircraft involved - Air Midwest Flight 5481 (US Airways Express). The aircraft type was a Beech 1900 twin-engine turboprop. The aircraft was flying full as this type of aircraft carries a maximum of 19 passengers and 2 crew members.

Where did the accident occur? - Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT). The flight took off at 8:45am and was expected at Greenville-Spartanburg Airport in South Carolina at 9:15 a.m. Weather conditions were considered clear.

What happened? - 21 people die including 19 passengers and 2 crew members when the aircraft crashes 37 seconds after take-off. The aircraft had maintenance performed two prior to the crash the hangar and across the surrounding area.

What facts play into the crash, and could it have been avoided?

• The maintenance is said to have been in regards to the elevator on the tail (this essentially allows the nose of the plane to move up and down). Currently, there is a question as to what work was actually done, whether the elevator tab was replaced, or some cables readjusted.
• The aircraft's flight data recorder indicated that the plane was ascending at an extremely steep angle.
• Other pilots who witnessed the take-off told investigators that the aircraft looked heavy while taxiing.
• The plane was close to its maximum weight. This could lead one to believe that a weight and balance (how weight is distributed through the aircraft - includes passengers and luggage/cargo) problem could have been a factor.
• The elevator was said to be moving in a manner that was not considered normal just prior to the crash.