Witnesses said a small plane was flying unusually low over Lake Hickory before it crashed into power lines, resulting in the death of the pilot and student-pilot rated passenger, the National Transportation Safety Board stated on Aug. 24.
The Scoda Aeronautica Ltda Super Petrel light sport aircraft took off from Hickory Regional Airport at 11:28 a.m. Aug. 13 and flew northeast at 1,600 feet, according to the preliminary NTSB report.
The amphibious plane was over Lake Hickory when it descended to 900 feet before its track was dropped.
A witness recorded the plane doing touch-and-go landings on the water.
Another witness said it was flying “unusually low” over the water.
The airplane got to the power lines when it took a “sudden” nosedive into transmission lines.
“There was a large ‘explosion’ and the airplane then ‘tumble[ed]’ into the water,” according to the NTSB report.
NTSB issues its preliminary report for the ongoing investigation of the Aug. 13 crash of a Scoda Aeronautica Super Petrel airplane in Hickory, North Carolina:
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) August 24, 2023
The engine sounded like it was operating and the aircraft appeared to be flying normally before impact, according to witnesses’ accounts.
VIDEO: Pilot, passenger killed in Lake Hickory plane crash, officials say
Pilot, passenger killed in Lake Hickory plane crash, officials say
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