BOWIE, MD. – The pilot radioed that he had an emergency and couldn’t see the runway just minutes before his single-engine plane crashed into a wooded area near Bowie last month, killing all three men on board.
New details were released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in its preliminary report into the June 20 Piper Cherokee (PA-28) crash.
According to previous FOX 5 DC reporting, the plane went down around 11:30 p.m. near Scarlett Oak Court near Scarlet Lane and came to rest just a few feet from an apartment complex and playground.
READ MORE: Three killed in small plane crash in Bowie area
Last minutes
Chronology:
According to federal investigators, the flight was operated by Washington International Flight Academy (WIFA) LLC. The plane was returning from a personal flight from Ocean City, New Jersey, back to its home base at Montgomery County Airport in Gaithersburg.
Preliminary flight data shows that after flying at an altitude of 8,500 feet, the aircraft gradually descended to an altitude of 2,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, the pilot made a partially unintelligible radio message, reporting that he was near Fort Meade.
The pilot then changed the transponder code to 7700 (an international distress signal) and told air traffic controllers he wanted to move to Freeway Airport in Bowie, according to a report released Tuesday. Air traffic control provided radar vectors to guide the aircraft toward the runway and asked the pilot if he could see the airport. According to the report, the pilot’s last radio transmission stated that he could not see the airport. Immediately after this, radar and radio contact were lost.
Response to search and detection of wreckage
Background:
Because the accident happened in complete darkness in a densely forested area, it took emergency crews nearly four hours to track down the scene, according to FOX 5.
A massive search operation involving multiple local and state law enforcement agencies was initiated after an automated iPhone malfunction alert was sent to Prince George’s County public safety dispatchers at 11:53 p.m.
Search teams discovered the wreckage at about 3:45 a.m. Sunday. According to preliminary data, the pilot and both passengers died at the scene.
There were no reports of injuries to anyone on the ground, although neighbors reported hearing a loud bang during the crash that some initially thought was fireworks or thunder.
Cellphone video of the area showed debris from the plane scattered behind homes, with part of the wing landing in a resident’s backyard.
Initial findings of damage
Dig Deeper:
An initial examination of the crash site by federal investigators revealed extensive damage.
READ MORE: NTSB Investigates What Led to Deadly Plane Crash in Bowie
The report said both wings of the plane were torn off the fuselage after hitting tree branches. The cockpit was severely crushed backwards, the instrument panel was badly damaged, and part of the horizontal tail structure was broken off.
Meteorological observations made at a distance of nine miles at the time of the accident showed clear skies, light winds and visibility of ten miles.
What’s next:
The NTSB also said in the report that it has preserved the wreckage for further technical analysis as the investigation into the exact cause of the crash continues.
Source: Information from the National Transportation Safety Board and previous FOX 5 DC reports.
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