A cascade of cockpit instrument failures preceded a December plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina, that killed seven people, including NASCAR legend Greg Biffle, according to a preliminary report released by NTSB investigators.
Cockpit voice recorder audio captured the pilot, Dennis Dutton, reporting that his altitude indicator and other left-side flight instruments were not working properly about four minutes into the flight. The aircraft's Garmin navigation system stopped recording airspeed and heading data shortly after these malfunctions began, the report states.
Severe audio degradation on the voice recorder lasted more than three minutes, beginning around the same time as the instrument failures. Investigators say this is an indication of possible electrical problems. After audio quality returned, the pilot indicated there had been a "problem" but did not specify what it was or what corrective actions were taken.
At some point, Dutton transferred control to his son, Jack Dutton, in the right seat when the aircraft was at about 4,500 feet.
Federal investigators determined the right-seat passenger (Jack Dutton) did NOT meet the qualifications required to serve as second-in-command under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 61.55. Despite performing co-pilot duties during the flight, including handling checklists and radio communications, his limited experience and lack of proper ratings meant the flight violated the pilot's operating restrictions.
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Cockpit voice recorder audio captured the pilot, Dennis Dutton, reporting that his altitude indicator and other left-side flight instruments were not working properly about four minutes into the flight. The aircraft's Garmin navigation system stopped recording airspeed and heading data shortly after these malfunctions began, the report states.
Severe audio degradation on the voice recorder lasted more than three minutes, beginning around the same time as the instrument failures. Investigators say this is an indication of possible electrical problems. After audio quality returned, the pilot indicated there had been a "problem" but did not specify what it was or what corrective actions were taken.
At some point, Dutton transferred control to his son, Jack Dutton, in the right seat when the aircraft was at about 4,500 feet.
Federal investigators determined the right-seat passenger (Jack Dutton) did NOT meet the qualifications required to serve as second-in-command under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 61.55. Despite performing co-pilot duties during the flight, including handling checklists and radio communications, his limited experience and lack of proper ratings meant the flight violated the pilot's operating restrictions.
NTSB releases preliminary report on Statesville plane crash that killed Greg Biffle, 6 others
Multiple cockpit instruments malfunctioned shortly after takeoff, investigators say. The plane crashed while attempting to return to the airport.
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