Pilot’s Final Call: ‘Stall Recovery!’ Jet Crashes in Michigan During Post-Maintenance Test Flight, Killing Three
BATH TOWNSHIP, MI—A corporate jet crash in a wooded area of Michigan on Thursday evening has claimed the lives of all three people on board, with chilling final audio confirming the aircraft lost aerodynamic lift moments before impact.
The crash, which occurred around 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025, in Bath Township, has prompted a major investigation by federal authorities centered on a crucial detail: the jet was on a post-maintenance test flight that included intentionally stalling the aircraft.
The Final Moments: ‘Stall Recovery!’
The jet, identified by its Mexican registration XA-JMR, was a Hawker 800XP corporate model. It had departed from Battle Creek Executive Airport, home to a major maintenance facility, and was scheduled to return after the test.
Air traffic control audio revealed the pilot’s desperate, final transmission: “Stall recovery! Stall recovery!” before the signal was lost.
- Fatalities Confirmed: Three individuals—two customer pilots and a maintenance representative from Duncan Aviation, the company that serviced the jet—were on board. All three were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
- The Descent: Tracking data (ADS-B) showed the jet reaching an altitude of approximately 14,775 feet before entering a rapid descent, crashing into a heavily wooded area near the intersection of Clark and Peacock Roads in less than 30 seconds.
- Wreckage: First responders found the wreckage engulfed in flames and smoke.
Focus on Post-Maintenance Testing
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation, and the focus is clearly on the nature of the flight. Post-maintenance test flights often require the crew to deliberately execute high-risk maneuvers, such as aerodynamic stalls, at a safe altitude to verify the aircraft’s systems and handling after repairs.
An aerodynamic stall occurs when the wings’ angle relative to the air is too steep, causing a critical loss of lift. The pilot’s shouted command suggests that either the aircraft stalled unexpectedly or that the standard recovery procedure—pushing the nose down and increasing thrust—failed.
The investigation will examine the jet’s maintenance records, the flight test profile, and the crew’s coordination and experience in stall recovery to determine whether a mechanical failure, an improper maintenance adjustment, or pilot error contributed to the tragic loss of control.
Conclusion
The crash of the Hawker 800XP during a post-maintenance test flight is a devastating loss that underscores the critical safety risks inherent in complex aviation procedures. The pilot’s final, desperate cry of “Stall recovery!” has placed the investigation squarely on the relationship between aircraft maintenance and airworthiness. As the NTSB carefully reconstructs the jet’s final seconds, the aviation world will be watching for findings that may lead to changes in flight testing protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
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Disclaimer
This report is based on preliminary information released by the Bath Township Police Department, the FAA, and the NTSB regarding the fatal crash on October 16, 2025. The investigation is ongoing, and the determination of the probable cause is a long process. For the most accurate and authoritative information, readers should refer to the official websites of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) (https://www.ntsb.gov/) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (https://www.faa.gov/).
