Part 3/10:
The incident unfolded on an unusually short flight that lasted under eight minutes. Investigators have access to ADS-B data—automatic dependent surveillance broadcast—that reveals the flight path and aircraft behavior leading up to the crash.
Takeoff and Initial Ascent
The plane took off smoothly from runway 10 at Statesville, with a typical departure pattern, increasing airspeed to around 197 knots and climbing to about 1,200 feet altitude during a standard left turn. This initial phase appeared uneventful, with no indication of engine trouble or abnormal behavior.