Fatal Stinson 108 plane crash due to pilot avoiding turtle on runway: NTSB
The pilot in a fatal plane crash in North Carolina had swerved to avoid a turtle on the runway, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The aircraft, a Universal Stinson 108 four-seater single engine with registration N40518, departed runway 2 at the Sugar Valley Airport (5NC2), Mocksville, North Carolina. The flight had been carrying two passengers and a pilot.
“Upon turning base leg for runway 2, the UNICOM operator, who was looking out the airport office window facing southeast, advised the pilot that there was a turtle on the runway,” the NTSB report said.
The airport operator said that the pilot landed about 1,400 ft down the 2,424-ft runway and then lifted the right main wheel to avoid the turtle. The operator then heard the pilot advance the throttle after he raised the right wheel.
A man cutting grass at a section of the runway saw the plane take off once more, but then crash shortly after.
According to the NTSB, the aircraft impacted a heavily forested area about 255 ft northeast of the departure end of runway 2, and a post impact fire ensued.
The pilot and one passenger died, while the remaining passenger survived with serious injuries.
The airplane wreckage and engine were retained for further examination, the NTSB said.
RELATED
Wandering turtle closes runway at Narita Airport, delays 5 flights
The post Fatal Stinson 108 plane crash due to pilot avoiding turtle on runway: NTSB appeared first on AeroTime.
The pilot in a fatal plane crash in North Carolina had swerved to avoid a turtle on the…
The post Fatal Stinson 108 plane crash due to pilot avoiding turtle on runway: NTSB appeared first on AeroTime.
