The National Transportation Safety Board released preliminary findings from their investigation of a plane crash that happened September 1, 2012 at the Quad City Air Show.
The report said the crash happened when three L-39 airplanes were performing a crossover break maneuver. During that maneuver, the lead plane gains altitude ahead of the second and third planes. Then the second and third airplanes appear, from the ground, to cross each other’s path behind the lead plane.
The lead pilot reportedly said the plane that crashed began turning right to execute the crossover maneuver. The plane then descended and hit the ground, where it appeared to explode and burn. The pilot was killed in the crash.
“No evidence of any in-flight collision with other airplanes was observed,” the report said.
The main wreckage was in a field just over a mile from the Davenport Municipal Airport at Mount Joy. The wreckage was taken to a secure location for examination.
