AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Federal investigators say witnesses saw a plane’s engine sputtering and smoking before a fatal crash near an Austin airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary investigation report details the Sept. 10 crash that killed 55-year-old David Anderson of Dallas. His twin-engine plane crashed in a city-owned field north of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
He never made contact with the control tower. Witnesses say the plane was flying at a low altitude and making banging noises.
The plane struck two trees and ignited a three-acre brush fire. Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The report didn’t list any known equipment issues. NTSB officials say a full investigation could take up to one year to complete.
