First the machine showed unusual flight movements, then it disappeared from the radar: Apparently, a Pilatus PC-12 crashed into the Atlantic off the coast of the USA. The machine is the same model as in the fatal accident in Milan, in which a plane crashed in an industrial area a few months ago.
The Pilatus PC-12, with a maximum of ten seats, is considered a safe and proven aircraft. Here, such a machine takes off from Buochs airfield in the canton of Nidwalden.
An American-registered Pilatus PC-12 with eight people on board crashed off the coast of the American state of North Carolina in the USA on Sunday. The US Coast Guard has been searching for the missing persons by boat and from the air around four miles east of the coast since Sunday evening.
According to a US air traffic controller, the single-engine aircraft that crashed into the Atlantic just off the American coast near Drum Inlet off the Outer Banks showed unusual flight movements on the radar and then disappeared from the radar screen.
According to American information, four of the eight people on board were students or pupils. Wreckage of the machine has probably already been discovered. In addition to ships, helicopters are also involved in the search. The helpers are still hoping to find survivors.
The Pilatus PC-12, with a maximum of ten seats, is considered a safe and proven aircraft. Its Pratt & Whitney PT6 propeller turbine is one of the most reliable aircraft engines in the world. However, the PC-12 is only powered by a single turbine. If this fails, the pilot must immediately initiate an emergency landing, unlike in a twin-engine aircraft. Just a few months ago, a PC-12 crashed into an industrial area shortly after take-off from Milan, killing everyone on board.
The PC-12 is typically piloted by a crew of two, especially in commercial operations. But it also has a so-called single-pilot license: one pilot in the cockpit is sufficient to steer the aircraft. This is mainly used for private flights or flights under visual flight conditions.
On May 31, 1991, a PC-12 took off for the first time from the Pilatus factory airfield in Buochs. Due to the legendary high reliability of the PT6 propeller turbine used, those responsible at Pilatus are convinced that one engine is sufficient, which leads to significantly lower operating costs. The concept is successful. By the beginning of 2022, more than 1,800 of the type had been delivered.
A direct competitor in this aircraft segment has only recently emerged. Because the US manufacturer Beechcraft has also developed a single-engine competitor model called Denali, which only had its maiden flight a few weeks ago. However, it will probably be some time before this machine, which also has a maximum of ten seats, receives its aviation license.
At Pilatus, the PC-12 has now been further developed into the PC-12 NGX version through constant evolution. It is also available in a variant as an ambulance aircraft. Thanks to its retractable landing gear, the turboprop has a top speed of more than 500 km/h. In addition, it has a so-called pressurized cabin and can therefore fly above the weather conditions. The PC-12 is also the undisputed bestseller in the range of the aircraft manufacturer from Stans.