On Sunday, March 22, 2009 at approximately 3:00 pm MST, a PC-12 crashed on approach to Bert Mooney Airport in Butte, MT. All fourteen people aboard, including seven children, lost their lives.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is deeply saddened by the news. The PC-12 took off from Oroville, CA and was en-route to Bozeman, MT, when it crashed due to unknown circumstances approximately 500 feet short of the runway in Butte, MT. The aircraft was equipped with eight passenger seats and two crew seats. Seven children and seven adults
were on board at the time.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has initiated their investigation with a team of seven. In addition, a team of specialists from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd are also on scene. Pilatus will assist the NTSB fully with the investigation with the hope of determining the cause of the accident as quickly as possible. Pilatus can release no further details at this time as the investigation is still ongoing.

Pilatus would like to express its deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members and loved ones of the victims.

Source: Pilatus