Plane Crashes Near Monticello on Monday

A plane crashed near Monticello on Monday afternoon.

The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the crash of a North American T-28B airplane in a field near Monticello shortly after 3 pm.

NTSB spokesperson Peter Knudson tells KMCH that the NTSB has no role in releasing the identities of the accident victims nor the extent and number of injuries – that’s handled by local authorities. The exact location of the plane crash has also not been released at this time.

An NTSB investigator is traveling to the scene. After the wreckage is documented, it will then be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation.

Knudson says their investigations involve three primary areas – the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records:

• Flight track data
• Recordings of any air traffic control communications
• Aircraft maintenance records
• Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident
• Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience
• 72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safely operate the flight
• Witness statements
• Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation
• Any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras

Anyone with information that could be relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the National Transportation Safety Board via email at witness@ntsb.gov.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the accident. A probable cause of the crash along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the final report, which can be expected in one or two years.