LONDONDERRY, N.H. – Federal investigators are working diligently to determine the cause of a cargo plane crash that occurred in Londonderry last week. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are focusing their investigation on a door from the airplane, which was discovered in a yard in Manchester, New Hampshire. The wreckage of the plane has been transported to a secure facility in Wakefield, Massachusetts for further examination.
The twin-engine Beechcraft 99 crashed off Colonial Drive in Londonderry on a Friday morning. Workers from the Department of Environmental Services have been at the crash site, where a strong smell of gasoline was still lingering on Monday.
Aviation professor Domenic LaFauci, who was a pilot for Wiggins Airways, believes that the issue with the plane may be related to the door that is currently under investigation. He explained that as a former captain of a similar airliner, he knows that the crew hatch door with two latches could be difficult to secure properly.
The airplane was en route to Presque Isle, Maine from Manchester. LaFauci highlighted the potential challenges with securing the latches on the door, pointing out that it could be easy for them to become unsecured. He also expressed concern about the possibility of spatial disorientation for the pilot if the door came loose during the flight.
LaFauci emphasized the rarity of incidents like this, noting that pilots undergo extensive emergency training to prevent and manage such situations. He also mentioned that it may take up to two years for the NTSB report to be completed.
The pilot, who is in stable condition, is scheduled for surgery later this week. LaFauci emphasized the pilot’s fortunate survival, considering the high fatality rate associated with high-speed impacts. He also speculated that the pilot likely attempted to turn back to Manchester after encountering an unresolvable issue mid-flight.