Pilots' joke flight ended in death

Jamie Wilson in Washington Wednesday June 15, 2005 The Guardian

Two airline pilots joked and laughed as they flew an empty commercial jet to its limits, switched seats in mid-air and ignored automated warnings before crashing into a residential area, a cockpit voice recorder has revealed.

Captain Jesse Rhodes and First Officer Peter Cesarz were both killed after they decided to "have a little fun" and take the 50-seat Pinnacle Airlines jet they were flying to 41,000ft - the limit of its capability. No one was hurt on the ground in Jackson City, Missouri, where the plane came down after suffering catastrophic engine failure.

"Ooh look at that," Mr Cesarz said, apparently referring to cockpit readings. "Pretty cool."

"Man, we can do it. Forty-one it," the captain replied. "Forty thousand, baby."

Two minutes later Mr Cesarz said: "Made it, man."

But seconds later, as an automatic system began warning of a stall, one of the pilots is heard to say: "Dude, it's losing it." A voice then said: "We don't have any engines. You got to be kidding me."

The plane crashed two and a half miles from the runway, missing houses.

The transcripts were released as part of a federal investigation into whether pilots of small regional airlines are getting adequate training and supervision.

Submitted on 06/15/2005

Submitted by: Scott Parker
Reference: www.guardian.com 06/15/2005

Copyright © 2005 DarwinAwards.com

Daniel said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
More information about this story. I still think operating within the FAA rules for the craft is reasonable.

Kelly said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
More information and from the transcript, they were not operating the ffa craft at all safely, or probably within the ffa rules.

The Darwin Awards Gift Shop

The Darwin Awards Condom Keep yourself out of the gene pool! A condom in a matchbook, useful for emergency contraception, bachelor parties, frat parties, and important rites of passage. LOADED inside and out with funny quotes and stories. Everyone loves this item! Friends don't let friends reproduce! $13 for Pack of 4