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NTSB: Deteriorating weather conditions present during takeoff of fatal Little Rock flight

{p}The preliminary report into the ongoing investigation of the failed takeoff of a small airplane from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock last month was released Friday, March 17 and showed that "changing/deteriorating weather conditions from the time of taxi, takeoff, and the accident" were present. (Photo KATV){/p}

The preliminary report into the ongoing investigation of the failed takeoff of a small airplane from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock last month was released Friday and showed that "changing/deteriorating weather conditions from the time of taxi, takeoff, and the accident" were present.

The commercial pilot and and all four passengers died when the Beech 200 airplane they were traveling in departed to Columbus, Ohio on Feb. 22. The five people were all employees of CTEH, a Little Rock-based environmental consulting firm.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a video surveillance camera located near the site of the crash showed the airplane impacted the ground in a right-wing-low, nose down attitude. The NTSB said the video from the 3M plant also showed heavy rain and blowing debris near the impact area.

"Other than severe impact and thermal damage, no pre-impact airframe anomalies were identified," the report said. "Detailed examinations of the engines did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies."

Stated in the report, according to two weather reports taken before and after the planes takeoff, the wind gusts went from 27 knots to 40 knots.

It also said visibility went from ten statute miles to 2 statute miles

The report also noted that the aircraft was "about 300 pounds under its maximum gross takeoff weight at the time of takeoff."

The preliminary report into the ongoing investigation of the failed takeoff of a small airplane from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock last month was released Friday, March 17 and showed that "changing/deteriorating weather conditions from the time of taxi, takeoff, and the accident" were present. (KATV){p}{/p}

The twin-engine plane piloted by Sean Sweeney carried Gunter Beaty, Kyle Bennett, Micah Kendrick, and Glenmarkus Walker as they were traveling to Ohio in response to an alloy plant explosion in the city of Bedford.

"We are incredibly saddened to report the loss of our Little Rock colleagues," Dr. Paul Nony, senior vice president of CTEH said after the crash. "We ask everyone to keep the families of those lost and the entire CTEH team in their thoughts and prayers."

Meteorologist James Bryant said the crash happened just as a line of showers were moving quickly east with strong winds out of the west northwest. Bryant said when the plane crashed at 12:02 p.m., Adams Field recorded a wind gust of 46 mph.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash and the NTSB will ultimately determine the ultimate cause which could take between 12 and 24 months to complete.

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NTSB: Deteriorating weather conditions present during takeoff of fatal Little Rock flight - KATV