Crash of a BAe 3212 Jetstream 32 in Fort Smith: 6 killed

At 0641LT, during the hours of darkness, the takeoff run on Runway 30 commenced. Eight seconds after liftoff, at a height of approximately 100 feet above ground level (AGL), the copilot (FO) observed an abnormal landing gear indication and notified the captain. Two seconds later, the FO called for the captain to reduce the speed; the captain acknowledged, and two brief changes in propeller rpm occurred within six seconds. During the initial climb, the captain maintained a shallow climb angle and attitude, the aircraft’s speed increased to approximately 165 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), and the aircraft reached a maximum height of approximately 140 feet AGL. At this point, the aircraft began a shallow descent. Six seconds later, the FO observed that the aircraft was losing altitude and called “Descending”. One second later, the terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS) began to produce an aural alert and, simultaneously, the aircraft impacted trees 0.5 nautical miles (NM) past the end of Runway 30. During this impact, the left-wing structure was compromised, resulting in a fireball. Approximately three seconds after the aircraft’s initial collision, the aircraft impacted additional trees and then terrain 0.6 NM from the end of Runway 30 and 0.1 NM left of the extended runway centreline. During the final portion of the accident sequence, one passenger was ejected from the aircraft (the seat and safety belt remained in the aircraft) and received minor injuries. All six other occupants were killed and the airplane was destroyed.