The pilot who mysteriously died simply earlier than a aircraft made an emergency touchdown final week — allegedly “leaping” out of the plane — could have really fallen after making an attempt to look at the broken touchdown gear.
Legislation enforcement sources inform TMZ … one of many working theories is that co-pilot Charlie Crooks went to the again of the cargo aircraft and opened the again cargo door to examine the touchdown gear that was broken and by accident fell out because the aircraft headed for the airport.
As we reported, the pilot radioed air site visitors management that Charlie had “jumped” out of the aircraft. A detailed pal of Charlie’s who has flown with him tells TMZ, the notion of Charlie leaping is absurd. The pal tells us, Charlie was excited a number of days earlier than the deadly flight on the prospect of being promoted to captain. The pal says he was in an excellent head house.
The 23-year-old informed his pal, the day earlier than he died, the chief pilot from the corporate that owned the aircraft was popping out from Colorado Springs to fly with him for two days final week … to guage Charlie with an eye fixed towards making him a captain.
As for Charlie leaping out of panic, the shut pal scoffs at that notion as nicely, saying Charlie was cool as a cucumber within the air, recalling that there was a mechanical mishap in one of many planes some time again and Charlie landed it so nicely — though the touchdown was tough — the corporate he was working for on the time really gave him a bit of the aircraft as a thanks.
The photograph (above) reveals Charlie behind the aircraft … sitting on the very door that’s being checked out because the one he probably opened to look beneath on the touchdown gear.
He posted the pic on social media with a joke “If there’s something we will do to make your journey extra snug, there may be an exit ramp on the rear of the airplane that we’ll gladly open for you.”
The NTSB and different federal companies are at the moment investigating the autumn and the aircraft.
As we reported, Charlie fell to his dying 30 miles from the airport, at an altitude of three,500 toes.
