NEW MARKET, Tenn. (WTVF) — A newly released preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board sheds light on the final moments before a deadly plane crash in Jefferson County last month.
Two people were killed April 13 when a Beechcraft 58 multi-engine airplane crashed into a field on Burchell Road near New Market.
According to the NTSB report, the aircraft departed Knoxville Downtown Island Airport around 12:41 p.m. for what investigators described as an instructional flight. The commercial pilot, who owned the airplane, was receiving an instrument competency check from a flight instructor.
Investigators said the plane flew toward Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport and performed a low approach over the runway before executing a missed approach procedure and entering a holding pattern.
The report states the plane later turned northwest toward New Market. During the final minute of flight data, the aircraft’s groundspeed dropped to 17 knots before it entered a “steep descent toward the ground.”
One witness told investigators they saw the plane in a left bank with its nose pointed downward before impact and did not hear engine noise or see smoke or fire trailing from the aircraft.
Another witness, who lived about 1.75 miles away, reported the aircraft “did not sound normal” and appeared to alternate between what sounded like full power and idle “at 1 second intervals” moments before the crash.
Investigators said the plane crashed into a clearing on a shallow hill in a nose-down attitude. Both engines were buried about four feet into the ground. The aircraft was heavily fragmented and largely consumed by a post-impact fire.
The NTSB said the wreckage has been retained for further examination.
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