NTSB releases preliminary report into the deadly Galveston plane crash that killed 6 people

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) — Aviation experts said a new NTSB report into a deadly Galveston plane crash provides clues into what happened, but no answers.

NTSB RELEASES ITS PRELIMINARY REPORT

Just days before Christmas, Mexican officials say a mission trip for a young burn victim turned tragic when its Navy plane crashed into the Galveston Bay. Authorities said eight people were on board.

Officials said six people died, including the child. They said the child’s mother and a nurse survived.

Since then, the NTSB has investigated the crash. On Friday, the agency released a four-page preliminary report.

Aviation expert Josh Verde said the document doesn’t provide an exact cause of the crash.

“There was no problem reported by the pilots,” Verde explained. “There was no mechanical trouble or anything like that. This seemed like a normal instrument approach.”

While Verde said there’s no crash explanation, the report does provide clues. “I’m pretty sure that weather will be a contributing factor simply because of the low visibility and the low ceilings, making it difficult for the pilots to see,” Verde said.

HERE’S WHAT’S IN THE REPORT

The NTSB preliminary report into the crash details the final communication between the cockpit and air traffic controllers, weather conditions, and what witnesses told investigators.

Verde said the report shows air traffic controllers discussing with the airplane crew which technology to use for the approach and landing. He said the final decision on which technology to use didn’t seem right because he said the technology could better help land a plane in foggy conditions.

“That approach wasn’t the best approach in my opinion for weather conditions of this sort,” Verde said. Verde said it’s unclear from the report as to why the other approach wasn’t used. The report shows that in the final moments before the crash, there was confusion between the crew and traffic controllers.

The report states controllers told the crew, “they were cleared for RNAV 14.” The crew responded, “cleared to land runway one four.” The controller responded, “They were cleared for RNAV. They were not cleared to land.”

Controllers asked them to acknowledge that, which they said the crew did. Afterwards, the report states the “controller subsequently issued multiple lower altitude alerts; however, there received no further radio communication from the flight crew.”

EXPERTS SAID A WITNESS PROVIDED A CHILLING CLUE

The NTSB said it wanted to talk to witnesses after the crash. The report said a witness reported hearing the airplane fly over them.

The witness told investigators, “he heard the sound of the airplane’s engine ‘pull back’ and then go to full power as if they were going to attempt a go-around before the sound stopped.”

Verde said that could mean the pilot tried to avoid the water at the last moment.

“What this witness is reporting, in terms of what they heard, would be consistent with pilots seeing the fact they were close to the water at the last second and trying to escape,” Verde said. “I wonder if that is what the NTSB will conclude, but certainly, hearing engine noise increasing suggests they were attempting to go around.”

Other witnesses told investigators there was fog and limited visibility at the time of the crash.

IT MAY TAKE TWO YEARS TO FIND OUT WHY THE CRASH OCCURRED

While the NTSB released a preliminary report, the agency said it could take 12 to 24 months for a final report. Verde said investigators will look closely at the aircraft, the pilot, and the weather, and will try to talk to more witnesses.

“What this report tells us is that up until the crash, things seemed for the most part normal,” Verde said.

Because of the initial findings, Verde said investigators will have to dig deeper into other causes to figure out exactly what happened.

For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.