SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – The flight attendant of an ill-fated private jet that crashed on I-75 in Naples last year told investigators she thought the two pilots on board were not working well together on the day of the crash, documents show.
The National Transportation Safety Board released a number of documents in the investigation of the fatal crash on Feb. 9, 2024.
However, it may be months before the NTSB releases its final report on the crash.
Documents released Sept. 5 include a transcript of the conversation in the cockpit between the captain and co-pilot; and transcripts of interviews conducted by sheriff’s deputies of the flight attendant and passengers shortly after the crash.
Previous coverage:
At least two dead after business jet crashes on I-75 in Naples
NTSB report reveals more information on Naples plane crash that killed two
On Feb. 9, 2024, the Bombardier Challenger 600 jet took off with two passengers from the Ohio State University Airport, headed for Naples Municipal Airport.
As the flight was cleared to land, both engines lost power. The pilots, quickly running out of options, attempted to land on a crowded I-75. The plane touched down, only to leave the roadway and crash into a wall, bursting into flames.
Both pilots were killed; the flight attendant and two passengers aboard were able to open a door and get out of the aircraft before it was completely engulfed in flames.
The plane was operated by Hop-a-Jet Worldwide Charter based in Fort Lauderdale. It was scheduled to land at Naples Airport at 3:12 p.m. After that, the aircraft was scheduled to fly to Fort Lauderdale.
In a transcript of a sworn statement to Collier County Sheriff’s Department deputies about two hours after the crash, flight attendant Sydney Bosmans said, in her opinion, the interaction between the flight crew — called Crew Resource Management — was concerning.
Deputy: In respect to the pilots, was there any arguing amongst the pilots?
Bosmans: I wouldn’t say there was any arguing at all. There might have been like – I don’t want to call it arguing. But when everything was going down there seemed to be – you know, they didn’t seem to be on the same page.
Um, I mean, I don’t know. I feel like I’m throwing people under the bus right now. I felt the CRM was terrible.
Deputy: I don’t know what that means.
Bosmans: Crew resource management. So, like the communication between crew and emergency situation.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Crew Resource Management is training required of all commercial pilots emphasizing active participation, improving communication, situation awareness, decision-making, and leadership.
In the transcript, Bosmans told deputies when it was clear they would be making a forced landing, she had to rely on instinct.
“So I just followed my gut. And I got up and I went in the back … I looked at the passengers and said, ‘This is your brace position. Like, get in the brace position now. We’re going to have to brace’ So I’m yelling ‘Brace.'”
“And then listening – I can hear the pilots. And I can – I don’t know. I don’t want to say they were arguing, because it was like a high stress situation.
“And then I’m sitting in the seat. And then I hear Ed go, ‘I’m landing right here. I’m doing it. I’m landing right here.’ And then we just braced for impact.”
A transcript of the cockpit voice recorder reveals the surprise and frustration of the captain, 50-year-old Edward Murphy, and the co-pilot, 65-year-old Ian Hofmann, as they realized the emergency unfolding.
The NTSB said the plane’s flight data recorders noted three master warnings starting at 3:09 p.m., barely two minutes before the crash.
At 15:09:33, the number one engine oil pressure warning was recorded, followed one second later by the number two engine oil pressure warning.
Airspeed had reduced to less than 130 knots. The pilots then began to descend at a rate more than 1,500 feet per minute.
A third engine warning of overheating was recorded at 15:09:40.
[sound of triple chime consistent with master warning]
15:09:35.3
Hofmann: what the hell what — oh right engine just quit.
[sound of triple chime consistent with master warning]
Murphy, on radio: okay uh Challenger uh uh Hopajet eight two three…
Murphy, on radio: …lost both engines. emergency… (I’m/um) making an
Bosmans: should I prepare the cabin? should I prepare the cabin?
Hofmann: okay hey let me take over land in this water.
[sound consistent with stick shaker (a warning of an impending stall)]
[sound of clacking consistent with continuous stick shaker]
[sound of clacking consistent with continuous stick shaker]
15:10:43.9
[sound consistent with stall warbler/stick pusher]
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