There Are Still More Questions Than Answers After This Unusual Accident
A man is dead following an incident yesterday (July 29, 2022) where he fell from a twin-engine CASA CN-212 Aviocar as it approached Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina.
The aircraft was making an emergency landing after losing its right wheel. Two souls were onboard, but while approaching RDU the co-pilot fell from the aircraft, which at the time was about 15 miles to the southwest of the airport over the town of Fuquay-Varina.
The local police department identified the man as 23 year old Charles Hew Crooks (next of kin were notified first). His body was located in someone’s backyard after a resident flagged down first responders already searching the area, reporting that they heard an unusual noise and saw broken tree branches.
In a press conference last night, authorities said Crooks fell from around 3,500 feet and landed 30-40 feet away from a house. He was not wearing a parachute.
The pilot, who has not been identified, landed the plane at RDU before skidding onto some grass and partially spinning to a stop, suffering only minor injuries.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA are leading the investigation, and expected to question the pilot today since he was released from a local hospital last night. It is unclear if Crooks jumped from the plane, fell out by accident (perhaps trying to visually confirm the tire working or not), or was the victim of a criminal act.
