The National Transportation Safety Board Preliminary Report on the July 26 fatal Pilatus PC12-47E accident in Wyoming does not offer much in the way of new information. It supports previous reporting that the single-engine turboprop, with seven on board including the owner-pilot, crashed after an apparent loss of autopilot function followed by a loss of control.

The NTSB report records, more specifically, that about an hour into the flight from Nebraska City Airport to Billings Logan International Airport in Montana, the aircraft (N357HE), cruising at 26,000 feet, maneuvered right of course and climbed to about 27,550 feet. It then began a right 270-degree turn. In the first 180 degrees of the turn, it descended to approximately 25,250 feet, then climbed back up to 27,025 feet in the final 90 degrees of the turn.

That maneuver was followed by a slight left turn followed by a descending 180-degree right turn. The pilot reported to Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center that he had lost his autopilot and was trying to regain control of the aircraft. The last data point recorded showed N347HE on a southerly heading at 21,900 feet. There were no more communications with ATC before the crash about 12 miles northeast of Recluse, Wyoming.

As the San Francisco Giants fight for a Wild Card spot heading into the final month of the season, there are some things to be encouraged about in the future.

The Giants will be one of many teams in the National League heading into the final month of the season with a chance of making the playoffs. As San Francisco tries to move up in the standings, they have a strong offseason to thank for some of their success this season.

In the offseason, the Giants were able to sign both Matt Chapman and Blake Snell to some very team-friendly deals. For Snell especially, he was coming off a Cy Young award-winning season, but the Giants were patient in free agency and got him for a bargain.

Recently, Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report spoke about the front office of the Giants being its greatest strength.

“Three years ago, this section would have been about the Giants’ coaching ingenuity. Now they’re no longer anything special in that regard, and Blake Snell’s and Matt Chapman’s opt-outs could result in a quick dissolution of last winter’s free-agent haul.”

“However, such a thing need not spell doom for San Francisco. Since taking over the front office in 2018, Farhan Zaidi has drafted Patrick Bailey, Tyler Fitzgerald and Kyle Harrison and overseen star turns by Logan Webb and Heliot Ramos. None of them is going anywhere anytime soon.”

It is so important in any sport to have a strong and stable front office. Teams that don’t generally do poorly , and the Giants have to be pleased with how Farhan Zaidi has done so far.

While the signings of Snell and Chapman were great ones in the offseason, it looks like they will be heading right back to free agency this winter because of their great seasons. However, even if the Giants lose Snell and Chapman, they have some young players to be excited about.

On offense, Heliot Ramos has had a great season, as he is batting .284 with 20 home runs and 64 RBIs. At just 24 years old, the future is very bright for Ramos, and the Giants will have to try and get some more talent around him in the lineup.

The pitching staff led by Logan Webb appears like they are going to be a solid unit for years to come, with or without Snell.

Overall, the front office of the Giants was able to put together a competitive team this season that has a positive outlook for the future. In the very challenging NL West, San Francisco should be pleased with their performance this season.