Pilot Who Died Throughout Emergency Might Have Fallen Touchdown Gear

The pilot who mysteriously died simply earlier than a airplane made an emergency touchdown final week — allegedly “leaping” out of the plane — could have really fallen after attempting 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 airplane and opened the again cargo door to examine the touchdown gear that was broken and by chance fell out because the airplane headed for the airport.

As we reported, the pilot radioed air traffic control that Charlie had “jumped” out of the airplane. An in depth buddy of Charlie’s who has flown with him tells TMZ, the notion of Charlie leaping is absurd. The buddy tells us, Charlie was excited a number of days earlier than the deadly flight on the prospect of being promoted to captain. The buddy says he was in an amazing head area.

The 23-year-old advised his buddy, the day earlier than he died, the chief pilot from the corporate that owned the airplane was popping out from Colorado Springs to fly with him for two days final week … to guage Charlie with a watch towards making him a captain.

As for Charlie jumping out of panic, the shut buddy scoffs at that notion as effectively, 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 effectively — though the touchdown was tough — the corporate he was working for on the time really gave him a bit of the airplane as a thanks.

The photograph (above) reveals Charlie in the back of the airplane … 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 comfy, 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 present investigating the autumn and the airplane.