Pilot's Message Revealed Before Plane Crash Killed 6 amid Heavy Fog: 'Doesn't Sound Great'

Yahoo

7 days ago

An National Transportation Safety Board official said that the runway lights and weather alert system at San Diego's Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport were out of order when a Cessna plane crashed on May 22
Six people aboard the plane, including music talent agent Dave Shapiro and ex-Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams, were killed
The NTSB official said that the plane was not equipped with a flight data recorderInvestigators looking into the Thursday, May 22, small plane crash in a San Diego neighborhood that killed six people on board — including ex-Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams and music talent agent Dave Shapiro — said the airport's runway lights and weather alert system were not working amid heavy fog when the incident occurred, as reported to the Associated Press.
At a Friday, May 23, press conference about the crash, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB} senior investigator Dan Baker stated that authorities recovered ADSB (automatic dependent surveillance–broadcast) data, fight track data and air traffic control audio from the accident flight.
He said that the pilot of the doomed Cessna 550 did not report any problems to air traffic control and did not declare an emergency.
Baker said investigators determined that the automated surface observing system, which provides airport weather conditions to pilots, was inoperative at San Diego's Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport due to an unrelated power surge.
He added that air traffic controllers provided the pilot with the weather conditions from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, located 4 miles north of the airport.
'The weather at Miramar was briefed as 'wind calm, one-half mile visibility and 200-foot ceiling,' ' he said.
Baker also noted that the runway lights at Montgomery Airport were out of service at the time. He also said the plane was not equipped with a flight data recorder and authorities are investigating whether it was equipped with a cockpit voice record.
According to the AP, based on an audio conversation between the pilot and an air traffic controller, the Cessna pilot understood the weather conditions were not suitable for landing the aircraft at the airport and also discussed the visibility.
The outlet added that it is uncertain whether the pilot had checked the FAA's official notice that the runway lights were out but was aware of Montgomery Airport's inoperable weather system. He could be heard on the audio saying that he'll proceed to land the plane at the airport.
'Doesn't sound great but we'll give it a go,' the pilot could be heard saying to the air traffic controller.
The Cessna 550 later crashed near the airport at approximately 3:45 a.m., local time. Hours after the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) verified that there were six people onboard.
The six people killed from the plane were later identified by authorities and media outlets as Shapiro, Williams; Emma L. Huke; Celina Marie Rose Kenyon; Kendall Fortner; and Dominic Damian.
The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said about 100 people had to be evacuated in the aftermath. At least 10 homes were damaged, NBC affiliate KNSD reported.
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Baker said at the press conference that there were no ground fatalities or serious injuries.
A preliminary report into the investigation is expected within 30 days from the date of the crash, said Baker, adding that a final report will be issued 12-24 months after the accident.
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