BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released an initial report on the plane crash that tragically took the life of a pilot in the Town of Porter last month. According to the report, the plane went “straight down” before crashing, but the cause of the crash is still under investigation.
The incident took place just east of Old Fort Niagara on July 20, sometime between 11:39 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. The crash occurred shortly after a parachutist had jumped out of the plane. Video footage obtained by the NTSB shows the airplane pitching over in a dive and then rolling right along its vertical axis before disappearing from view.
Witnesses to the crash described seeing the plane descending straight down towards the ground. One witness mentioned that the plane had one wing pointed towards the ground and one wing pointed towards the sky as it went down. Tracking data ended at 11:39:20 a.m., according to the report.
At 11:40 a.m., the same time the crash occurred, air traffic control attempted to terminate radio services but received no response. Shortly after, another company airplane trying to locate the crashed plane spotted smoke on the ground two to three miles west of the jump zone. The plane ultimately crashed into a hill leading up to the southbound lanes of the Niagara Scenic Parkway.
The accident took place during Falls Fest, an annual event hosted by Skydive the Falls, a skydiving center based out of Windsor Airport in Youngstown. The fatal flight was the sixth of the day, with the previous five flights completing without incident.
The pilot, identified as 26-year-old Melanie Gregor from the Town of Tonawanda, had been working for the company since April. Gregor had accumulated 1,449 hours of flight experience, with just over 100 hours in the same make and model of the crashed airplane.
The aircraft involved in the crash was a Cessna 208B manufactured in 2002 and modified for parachute jump operations. Its most recent inspection was completed on March 24, with the plane having logged 8,471 hours of operation and the engine undergoing a major overhaul approximately 1,050 hours prior.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, as authorities work to determine the cause of the tragic incident. The NTSB report provides a timeline and description of the events leading up to the crash, but further analysis will be necessary to understand what went wrong.
Factors Under Investigation
The NTSB will be looking into various factors that may have contributed to the crash, including the pilot’s experience and training, the condition of the aircraft, and any external influences that could have affected the flight. The goal of the investigation is to prevent similar accidents in the future by identifying any safety issues or lapses that may have played a role in the incident.
Memorial for Melanie Gregor
Following the tragic crash, friends and family of Melanie Gregor gathered to remember the young pilot and honor her memory. Gregor was described as a dedicated and passionate aviator who loved flying and sharing her passion with others. Her loss has deeply affected the aviation community and those who knew her personally.
Improving Safety Measures
In the wake of the crash, Skydive the Falls and other aviation organizations have emphasized the importance of safety protocols and regular maintenance checks for aircraft. Ensuring that pilots receive thorough training and ongoing support is crucial in preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew members.
As the investigation into the plane crash in Niagara County continues, the NTSB will work diligently to uncover the cause of the tragic incident. By analyzing all available data and conducting thorough examinations, authorities hope to shed light on what led to the plane’s sudden descent and ultimately prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
