Investigation Summary
The flight departed Statesville at 10:06 EST under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) with the intention of activating an IFR plan once airborne. During the initial climb, the crew noted a temperature discrepancy between the engines and an inoperative thrust reverser indicator. At approximately 10:10, the captain reported that his altitude indicator and other left-side flight instruments were malfunctioning. The Garmin GTN 750 stopped recording airspeed and heading data shortly thereafter. Control was briefly transferred to the right-seat passenger, Jack Dutton, who was a licensed pilot but not type-rated for the Citation II. Audio quality on the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) severely degraded for over three minutes during the emergency. When audio quality returned, it followed a query from a rear-seat passenger regarding power to the 'alternator' (though the aircraft is equipped with generators, not alternators). The captain responded that the alternator was the 'problem', and the Garmin GTN 750 recording of airspeed data resumed immediately at 10:14:12. Despite regaining some instrument function and visually acquiring the runway, the aircraft remained below the proper glide path. It struck a 29-foot tall MALSR light station while configured for landing, eventually coming to rest in the runway overrun area where it was largely consumed by a post-impact fire.
Final Conclusions
The investigation is ongoing. The NTSB released a Preliminary Report on January 30, 2026, which detailed instrument malfunctions and electrical anomalies during the flight. The report noted that while the captain held a valid type rating, the right-seat occupant did not meet the requirements to act as Second-in-Command for the Cessna 550. A final report determining the probable cause is expected within 12 to 24 months of the accident.
Video Analysis
NTSB B-Roll - Crash of a Cessna Citation at the Statesville, NC regional airport. — Official NTSB footage showing the debris field and recovery of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) from the Cessna 550 Citation II crash site in Statesville, NC.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Held type ratings for A-320, A-330, A-350, B-737, B-757, B-767, CE-500, and DC-10.
Systems & Failure Modes
Garmin GTN 750
A multi-function display and GPS unit that recorded approximately 20 parameters during the flight, providing critical data in the absence of a flight data recorder.
Electrical System
The crew discussed a potential 'alternator' issue (though the aircraft uses generators) coinciding with the failure and subsequent recovery of flight instruments.
MALSR
The Medium Intensity Approach Light System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights; the aircraft struck the easternmost 29-foot tall light station during its final approach.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a 1981-built Cessna 550 Citation II, registration N257BW.
- 02The captain was a highly experienced former Delta Air Lines pilot with 17,000 total flight hours.
- 03The aircraft was required to be operated by two type-rated pilots; however, the right-seat occupant (Jack Dutton) was not type-rated in the Cessna 550.
- 04Weather at 10:15 METAR: wind calm, visibility 5SM, heavy drizzle (+DZ), ceiling broken at 1,200 ft agl, ceiling broken at 2,200 ft agl, overcast at 5,000 ft agl (METAR KSVH 181515Z AUTO 00000KT 5SM +DZ BKN012 BKN022 OVC050 07/01 A3019).
- 05The NTSB recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and a Garmin GTN 750 unit for data analysis.
- 06Post-impact examination found both engines' thrust reversers in the stowed position and throttles in the full forward position.
Safety Actions & Advisories
NTSB Preliminary Investigation
Source ↗The NTSB launched a full investigation, recovering the CVR and Garmin GTN 750 for analysis. Preliminary findings highlighted the lack of a required type-rated Second-in-Command and the occurrence of significant electrical/instrument anomalies.