Pilots Had 75 Seconds between Engine Warnings and Crash

Hop-A-Jet pilots Edward Murphy and Ian Hofmann had just 75 seconds between the first indication of trouble with their Bombardier Challenger 604’s GE Aviation CF34-3B engines and crash landing the twinjet on I-75 in Naples, Florida, on Feb, 9, 2024, according to a trove of documents released late on September 5 by the NTSB. The first of three master caution warnings—left engine oil pressure—was recorded at 15:09:33 EST, followed by the same warning for the right engine one second later, and an engine warning six seconds later.

It took the crew an additional 20 seconds, at 15:10:05, to realize both engines stopped producing power while the airplane was at about 1,000 feet msl and 122 knots on a shallow intercept angle for the final approach course to Naples Municipal Airport (KAPF). The crew then transmitted to tower, “…lost both engines…emergency…making an emergency landing.” The tower controller acknowledged the call and cleared the airplane to land. While at about 900 feet and 115 knots, the crew replied, “We are cleared to land but we are not going to make the runway…ah…we have lost both engines.”

The twinjet touched down on the southbound lane of I-75 at approximately 15:10:47, when aircraft ADS-B data also ceased. According to a 17-second dashcam video submitted to the NTSB, the airplane initially was in a shallow left turn and then leveled its wings before touchdown, aligned with traffic. It then showed the left main landing gear touching down first in the center of the three lanes and then the right gear touching down in the right lane. Video then shows the airplane continuing through the right-side emergency lane and into the grass shoulder area before hitting a concrete sound barrier. Then the video showed the Challenger obscured by dust, fire, smoke, and debris until the recording ended.

Murphy and Hofman perished in the accident, but the cabin attendant and two passengers escaped with minor injuries. One person on the ground also suffered minor injuries. The air charter—operated under Part 135 by Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Hop-A-Jet—originated at Ohio State University Airport (KOSU) in Columbus, Ohio, and was a supplemental lift flight for NetJets.

According to interviews with other Hop-A-Jet pilots, Murphy—the accident captain—was recounted as a meticulous planner, with checklist discipline described as “it was just like you're in the flight simulator in CAE with the proper callouts and everything.” First officer Hofmann was portrayed as “a very calm individual” who “was there to participate and be involved and to learn and to be an active member of the crew.”