NTSB publishes preliminary report on PC12 crash in Wyoming

The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report on the fatal Pilatus PC12-47E accident in Wyoming on July 26 does not contain much new information. It confirms earlier reports that the single-engine turboprop aircraft carrying seven passengers, including the owner-pilot, crashed after an apparent loss of autopilot function and a subsequent loss of control.

The NTSB report specifically notes that approximately one hour into the flight from Nebraska City Airport to Billings Logan International Airport in Montana, when the airplane (N357HE) was at an altitude of 26,000 feet, it banked to the right and climbed to about 27,550 feet. It then began a 270-degree right turn. In the first 180 degrees of the turn, it descended to about 25,250 feet and then climbed back to 27,025 feet in the final 90 degrees of the turn.

This maneuver was followed by a slight left turn, followed by a 180-degree right turn. The pilot reported to the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center that he had lost his autopilot and was attempting to regain control of the aircraft. The last recorded data point showed N347HE heading south at 21,900 feet. There was no further communication with air traffic control before the crash approximately 12 miles northeast of Recluse, Wyoming.