AV Web

MARCH 6, 2025

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report on the fatal medical jet crash in Northeast Philadelphia on Jan. At the time, instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) were present, including an overcast ceiling at 400 feet above ground level, winds from 220 at 9 knots, and 6 miles visibility.

Cockpit 71

Cockpit Instrument Meteorological Conditions Jet Air Traffic Control 71

Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

The ceiling is 800 ft overcast. The reason why the crew operated the aircraft outside of limitations and continued an unstable approach that resulted in an accident, was that they were racing another jet to the runway. The GOM also called for the airspeed to be “on target” at such altitudes respectively.

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Photographic Logbook

AUGUST 13, 2023

While I anticipated an IFR departure that morning, I wanted to see ceiling and visibility of at least 300 feet and a mile to avoid smacking into mountainous terrain around Pickens County Airport during take-off. Before too long, the visibility rose to unrestricted while the ceiling remained around 300 feet.

Approach 52

Approach Ceiling Runway Clearance 52

Photographic Logbook

OCTOBER 28, 2023

Despite those ground clearances, we found that the ceiling above our home airport was high enough to accommodate VFR departures with airborne clearances. Putting the front to our tails, we flew in IMC (instrument meteorological conditions) for 30 minutes before emerging under a clear blue sky. Better safe than sorry.

Clearance 52

Clearance Knot Instrument Meteorological Conditions Airplanes 52