Strange crash indeed. Line guy claims it sounded like the motor was making good power, witnesses claim it was popping and humming, All happening in just 1.2 miles before it crashed.
I wonder if the fuel truck/tanks were quarentined and examined?
Ben.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The lineman watched the airplane depart ORE about 2110. He stated that the takeoff seemed "smooth" and "normal," and the engine "sounded like it was getting full power." The lineman observed the airplane make a right turn towards the north after takeoff.
A witness, who was at his home near the departure end of runway 32, heard the accident airplane fly overhead as it took off. He stated that the engine was "spitting and sputtering" and producing popping noises, which seemed to "smooth out" as the airplane turned away. He stated that the airplane appeared to be climbing, but "not as fast" as other airplanes.
Several other individuals witnessed the airplane flying over the town of Orange. They stated that the engine was "sputtering" and "popping." One witness heard the engine "hum" and "get louder and softer" prior to impact. Another witness, located less than a quarter-mile from the accident site, stated that he heard an engine "humming," and thought it was a car speeding down the road. After hearing the sounds of impact, he realized that it was an airplane. He stated that the engine noise prior to impact was "quieter than a normal airplane."
Review of preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) radar data revealed that, at 2110:10, a radar target correlated to be the accident airplane was observed northwest of ORE at 1,200 feet mean sea level (msl). The target tracked roughly northeast and climbed to 1,400 feet msl over the next 30 seconds, then tracked northwest and descended to 1,300 feet msl before radar contact was lost at 2110:57. The accident airplane had not contacted any air traffic control or flight service facilities during the accident flight.
The first pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. On his most recent application for an FAA third-class medical certificate, which was issued in November 2009, he reported 2,788 total hours of flight experience.
The second pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in September 2009.
According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1974, and was equipped with a Lycoming O-320-E2D engine. The airplane's maintenance records were not immediately available for review. The tachometer reading at the accident site was 3256.0 hours.
The wreckage was located at 42 degrees, 35.72 minutes north latitude, 72 degrees, 17.89 minutes west longitude, and approximately 1.2 nautical miles north of the departure end of
