Two pilots of a Canadair CRJ2 flying under the Pinnacle Airlines banner were killed when they decided to take their plane to the maximum altitude rated for the plane to "...have a little fun and come up here." Air traffic controllers had remarked to the pilots that it was rare to see that particular plane flying at 41,000 feet.

Shortly after this conversation, the pilots reported that both engines of the plane had ceased working and that they wanted to descend to a lower altitude in an attempt to restart the engines. The last contact with the pilots had them at 9000 feet with the airport beacon in sight. Rumors of a discussion between the two men regarding their imminent appearance on the Darwin Awards Website cannot be confirmed.

There were no passengers on the plane owing to an earlier malfunction that placed them on another plane while this one was repaired. The plane and the two pilots crashed in Jefferson City, MO. They injured no one on the ground but thankfully removed themselves from the gene pool.

Submitted on 04/17/2005

Submitted by: Julie Eklund
Reference: CBS News 3/5/2005

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

Daniel said:
Maybe Toss: Other
I'd like a little more info on this one. There is nothing particularly stupid about taking a plane to it's maximum rated cieling.

Kelly said:
Neutral: Other
There is, however, something quite stupid about taking a plane which was being repaird for a malfunction that caused all the passengers to be removed, up to a max height (which is not the safe limit for a plane to fly, it's the max you can go and you're not supposed to stay there long) and then play around. I would like more details, such as what kind of malfuction it had experienced, if the repairs had been finished and what sort of "fun" they were having.

Jack said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I'm going to agree with Kelly. I'm not a pilot, but my brother-in-law is, and I'll go for an award for playing around in the air.

Charles said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I'll side with Kelly on this one.

Tracy said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
Hi - I must be the only mod that's seeing this one as a repeat! But it may have further info, so I'm saving it for Darwin

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