LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The National Transportation Safety Board has released its initial findings after a plane heading to Columbus crashed last month, killing five people on board.
On Feb. 22 five members of an environmental consulting firm were traveling from Arkansas to Columbus in response to a metal plant explosion in Bedford, Ohio.
At 11:51 a.m. the pilot requested clearance for take-off, and a low-level wind shear advisory alert was issued according to the preliminary report.
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Around 11:53 a.m. traffic control gave the pilot clearance, during this time two more low-level wind shear advisory alerts were issued.
At 11:55 a.m. the pilot takes off, according to the report.
One minute later, the plane crashed about a mile away from the end of the runway, killing the pilot and four passengers and sending a plume of smoke into the air.
The report notes that when the pilot took off the runway, and just before, surveillance cameras show the ramp was dry with no rain or noticeable wind.
Shortly after the crash, however, the cameras shook from wind and heavy rain was seen.
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This along with weather reports show “changing/deteriorating weather conditions from the time of taxi, take off and the accident,” the report states.
Investigators examined debris from the crash and found no sign of pre-impact abnormalities.
The airplane was around 300 pounds under its maximum gross takeoff weight at the time of takeoff, according to the report.
The NTSB said the information included in the report is their preliminary findings and could change as more information becomes available.
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