NTSB Says Malfunctions Didn’t Cause the NC Plane Crash

By Diane Smith
18:45, February 13th 2008
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NTSB Says Malfunctions Didn’t Cause the NC Plane Crash

Federal investigators said that the alleged mechanical problems weren’t what caused the crash of the small plane in North Carolina two weeks ago.

The preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board says that the Beechcraft King Air twin-engine turboprop plane approached the landing area from a high angle and thus missed its approach at an airport in Mount Airy, in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The pilot tried to pull up the air craft, but it was too late and the small jet nose-dived into a back yard without knowing it because of the morning fog.

The investigation continues and it could take nine months to a year before the investigators close the file.

Six people died in the crash that took place on February 2 at about 11:30 a.m. according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The plane was reportedly on a business flight and on its way from Polk County Airport in Cedartown, Georgia, and was trying to land in overcast conditions. The visibility was of about 2 ½ miles according to Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown.

The plane had received clearance to land from the air traffic controllers, but when it came out of the clouds it was too high to begin the landing operation, Brown said. The pilot attempted a "go-around" and disappeared into the clouds. Moments later, the airport manager heard the crash as the plane “landed” in a subdivision east of the airport.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was registered to Blue Sky Airways Inc. of Dallas, Georgia.

Those unlucky enough to be on board that day were traveling to Patrick County, Virginia, for a hunting excursion.

According to a Rockmart, Georgia, newspaper, the deceased were Rockmart residents Hal Echols, owner of Blue Sky Airways; Wesley Rakestraw; and Steve Simpson. The other three dead were Robert Butler, Tony Gunter and Frank Regero.



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