The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary investigation report on the small plane crash that occurred on Interstate 26 near Asheville, North Carolina. The crash, which took place in December, resulted in injuries to both the flight instructor and the student pilot on board.
According to the NTSB report, the Diamond DA-40 aircraft took off from Knoxville and was en route to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina when the flight instructor and pilot experienced engine troubles during a cross-country night flight. The engine reportedly lost power and began to “shudder,” leading to a forced landing on the interstate.
The flight instructor sustained minor injuries, while the student pilot was seriously injured. Upon examining the wreckage, the NTSB discovered that a connecting rod had separated from the engine. The plane, which had only accumulated 95 flight hours, had recently undergone a 100-hour maintenance inspection a few days prior to the crash.
Audio recordings from the Asheville Regional Airport tower captured the pilot’s calm demeanor as the plane experienced engine failures and ultimately made a forced landing on the interstate. The NTSB classified the incident as an accident, stating that the plane was destroyed in the crash.
The FAA reported that the plane, registered to Diamond Aircraft Sales USA, Inc. and operated by LIFT Training Academy, went down on I-26 at around 8:15 p.m. Emergency crews responded to the scene, resulting in a temporary closure of the interstate. The road was reopened the following day, with one westbound lane remaining closed for pavement repairs.
The NTSB’s preliminary report sheds light on the events leading up to the crash, providing valuable insight into the challenges faced by the flight instructor and the student pilot. The investigation into the accident continues as authorities work to determine the exact cause of the engine failure and subsequent crash.