The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report detailing the events leading up to the plane crash in Harnett County last month. According to ABC11, the crash involved a single-engine acrobatic plane that went down near a boat dealership in Broadway, resulting in fatalities of both the pilot and the passenger. Witnesses report that the plane was seen spinning nose-down before it struck the ground.
The flight originated from Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford, with the incident occurring roughly five to seven minutes following takeoff. The aircraft, identified as an Aviat Pitts S-2B, was believed to be engaged in a training exercise when it began a steep descent. The NTSB's findings describe how the airplane made multiple left turns before entering a tight 360-degree maneuver, as noted by CBS 17.
The crash resulted in most of the aircraft being damaged by a post-impact fire. Investigators determined that the steel tubular structure and parts of the flight control system remained intact within the wreckage. The two individuals involved were identified as pilot Anton Vandeth and passenger Dwight Frye.
The aircraft had been purchased by Vandeth in March, as per registration records. Although the plane's final destination remained uncertain, it was known to be operating as an aerobatic flight which allows pilots to perform specialized maneuvers, The News & Observer reported.
