A NEW report reveals the shocking cause behind a plane crash that killed everyone on board last month.
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued an initial report regarding the crash that claimed the life of Daniel Williams, a former drummer for the metal band The Devil Wears Prada, along with five other individuals.
The NTSB revealed that the plane clipped a power line after flying too low.
The Cessna 550 Citation went down in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon area on the morning of May 22 while attempting a landing at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
All six people on board, including Williams, died, and eight others on the ground were injured.
A preliminary investigation into the crash found that different factors, including harsh weather conditions, contributed to the disaster.
The NTSB’s preliminary report does not name the pilot and has yet to come to a definitive conclusion about what happened.
However, it is believed that music producer Dave Shapiro was the one flying the plane as he owned the Cessna.
The report from the NTSB noted that the airport’s weather data system and a runway lighting system meant to assist pilots during their approach to the runway were non-functional at the time.
It was unclear whether the pilot was aware of the lights being out of service at the time.
While there’s no definitive answer as to whether the pilot is fully responsible for the disaster, the report does trace the unnamed pilot’s steps.
The pilot’s failure to discuss alternate airport weather conditions with the air traffic controller seemed to be a significant factor in the crash.
The pilot debated diverting to another airport with the controller, according to LiveATC.net audio.
However, the speaker said, “I think we’ll be alright,” and continued to land.
Air traffic controllers told the pilot that the airport’s weather system was out of service, according to the report.
As the pilot began his descent, air traffic controllers reported hearing microphone clicks “consistent with an attempt to activate the pilot-controlled runway lighting.”
The plane continued to fly too low for landing, approximately 200 feet lower than the required landing height, when it struck the power lines.
It was only two miles away from the airport when it collided with the transmission lines about 95 feet above the ground.
The collision sliced the tail of the plane and damaged the stabilizers.
