A Deadly Galveston Plane Crash Claims Six Lives, Leaves Questions Unanswered
Aviation experts say a new NTSB report into the fatal Galveston plane crash has shed some light on what went wrong, but many questions remain unanswered.
The investigation into the December 22nd crash, which killed six people including a young burn victim, revealed that the pilots had reported no mechanical issues and were following normal procedures. However, officials say the weather conditions at the time of the crash, with low visibility and ceilings, made it difficult for the pilots to see.
According to aviation expert Josh Verde, "There was no problem reported by the pilots... This seemed like a normal instrument approach." The report highlights confusion between the crew and air traffic controllers in the final moments before the crash, which may have contributed to the tragedy.
The NTSB preliminary report also reveals that air traffic controllers had discussed with the airplane crew which technology to use for the approach and landing. Verde believes this could be a contributing factor to the crash, saying "That approach wasn't the best approach in my opinion for weather conditions of this sort."
A chilling clue came from a witness who reported hearing the sound of the engine "pull back" and then go to full power as if the pilot was trying to avoid water. Verde believes this could indicate that the pilot tried to escape, but the cause of the crash remains unclear.
The NTSB says it may take 12-24 months to produce a final report, during which time investigators will examine the aircraft, pilot, and weather conditions. The agency is also seeking more witness statements.
While the preliminary report provides some insights, many questions still remain unanswered. As Verde notes, "What this report tells us is that up until the crash, things seemed for the most part normal." A thorough investigation will be needed to determine the exact cause of the deadly Galveston plane crash.
Aviation experts say a new NTSB report into the fatal Galveston plane crash has shed some light on what went wrong, but many questions remain unanswered.
The investigation into the December 22nd crash, which killed six people including a young burn victim, revealed that the pilots had reported no mechanical issues and were following normal procedures. However, officials say the weather conditions at the time of the crash, with low visibility and ceilings, made it difficult for the pilots to see.
According to aviation expert Josh Verde, "There was no problem reported by the pilots... This seemed like a normal instrument approach." The report highlights confusion between the crew and air traffic controllers in the final moments before the crash, which may have contributed to the tragedy.
The NTSB preliminary report also reveals that air traffic controllers had discussed with the airplane crew which technology to use for the approach and landing. Verde believes this could be a contributing factor to the crash, saying "That approach wasn't the best approach in my opinion for weather conditions of this sort."
A chilling clue came from a witness who reported hearing the sound of the engine "pull back" and then go to full power as if the pilot was trying to avoid water. Verde believes this could indicate that the pilot tried to escape, but the cause of the crash remains unclear.
The NTSB says it may take 12-24 months to produce a final report, during which time investigators will examine the aircraft, pilot, and weather conditions. The agency is also seeking more witness statements.
While the preliminary report provides some insights, many questions still remain unanswered. As Verde notes, "What this report tells us is that up until the crash, things seemed for the most part normal." A thorough investigation will be needed to determine the exact cause of the deadly Galveston plane crash.