NTSB releases preliminary report on crash at Stuart Air Show
Stuart,Fl (Treasueoast.com )- The NTSB has issued a preliminary report on the deadly crash that took place at Witham Field just before the start of the Stuart Air Show.
was killed when the Grumman OV-1 Mohawk he was piloting crashed near the end of a runway.
According to the preliminary report, a person acting as crew-chief said the pilot was going to avoid acrobatic maneuvers during the test flight because of the high winds and low ceiling. The crew-chief told investigators that Masessa wanted to see the acrobatic box before the show on Saturday. His intent was to make a slow speed low pass. This was to be followed by a high speed low pass and a normal landing. The crew chief said that on the last pass of the flight, the airplane did a rapid right roll to an inverted position. Then the nose dropped to what appeared to be 45 degrees nose down just before the crash.
Another air show performer told investigators that the engines sounded like they were at full power before impact. However, another pilot-rated witness told investigators that the engines sounded fine to him.
The NTSB says a preliminary report provides a synopsis of factual information collected during the on-scene phase of the investigation. It will be followed by a factual report which usually takes 12 to 24 months. A final report will be issued six to eight weeks after that.
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