Incident Overview

A small aircraft, specifically a Cessna 525A, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Mesquite Metro Airport on March 13. The incident occurred approximately 30 seconds into the flight, which was en route to Addison Airport for the purpose of picking up passengers.

Details of the Flight

• Time of Takeoff: Just after 7:30 a.m.
• Flight Duration: Approximately 31 seconds
• Flight Path: The aircraft ascended to roughly 500 feet but began descending around 24 seconds into the flight.
• Crash Location: A densely wooded area near Lawson and Clay Mathis roads.

Crash Circumstances

The preliminary report, released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), indicated that the aircraft did not issue a distress signal prior to the crash. As the plane descended, it rolled to the right instead of making a necessary left turn, leading to the tragic outcome. Eyewitness accounts included video evidence that showed the aircraft spiraling downward with a plume of smoke trailing behind.

Investigation Details

The investigation revealed that the plane was filled with 224 gallons of fuel at the time of takeoff. Upon crashing, it ignited, prompting immediate response from firefighting teams who worked to extinguish the flames and manage fire spots in the vicinity. Debris from the crash was found scattered over a 450-foot area.

Significantly, all major wreckage components, including the cockpit voice recorder and Full Authority Digital Engine Control unit, were successfully retrieved for analysis. The engine modules have been sent back to the manufacturer for further evaluation of their data.

Victim Identified

The pilot of the aircraft, identified as 48-year-old Eric Forsythe, Jr., held a commercial pilot certificate with extensive flying experience totaling approximately 6,800 flight hours according to a medical report submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Source Information

This article is based on information derived from the preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board along with prior coverage from FOX 4 News.