Nearly one month following the tragic incident where a plane crashed onto Interstate 195 in Dartmouth, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released preliminary details to help piece together the last moments before the fatal event. According to information obtained by NBC10 Boston, the aircraft involved was a Socata TBM 700, which had lifted off from New Bedford Regional Airport on its way to Kenosha Regional Airport in Wisconsin. Shortly after taking off, the pilot, 68-year-old Thomas Perkins, contacted air traffic control with intentions to return to the airport.
As reported by WHDH, the pilot declined aid when asked by the controller if he needed assistance with the landing, stating he "should be OK." This was followed by a communication exchange that lasted about a minute, which was abruptly ended by an unintelligible exclamation from Perkins. Shortly thereafter, it was confirmed that the plane crashed about three miles from New Bedford Regional Airport, marking a violent end not only to the flight but also to the lives of those on board.
The NTSB has yet to establish an explicit cause for the crash, and the report made no mention of the pilot providing a clear reason for his return to the airport. The investigation uncovered no evidence of fuel leaks or signs of an engine fire before the impact. The area at the time was under the influence of a nor’easter, presenting challenges with winds blowing at 22 miles per hour and gusts peaking up to 30 miles per hour. Yet, it remains unclear if these conditions played a central role in the tragedy.
In the wake of the crash, Interstate 195 became an unforeseen site of destruction. Remnants of the once intact plane scattered across lanes and nearby areas, while the fuselage's rest on its side produced plumes of black smoke observable from afar. Miraculously, amid the chaos, only one driver, a woman whose vehicle was struck by the plane, suffered minor injuries and was promptly taken for treatment of non-life-threatening conditions. She was reportedly shaken up, but fortunately, otherwise OK. The highway itself had to be shut down in both directions near the crash site, causing severe traffic disruptions for hours.
The personal toll of the crash was underscored by a statement from the president of Angel Flight NE, who recognized Thomas Perkins as a pilot who had dedicated part of his life to transporting patients in need of medical treatment. Perkins and his 66-year-old wife, Angela, who also perished in the accident, left a void that their relatives, declining to comment to NBC10 Boston last month, are undoubtedly still grappling with. Meanwhile, the NTSB continues to analyze cockpit electronic systems in hopes of uncovering additional clues that may illuminate the cause of such a devastating event.
