Friday, August 30, 2002

NTSB: Wrecked plane's left engine failed during stall

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Moments before a light plane crashed to the ground just south of Peachtree City Saturday morning, the pilot had been practicing stall maneuvers, according to officials investigating the accident.

The left engine of the 1973 Piper PA 34-200 failed to restart after several attempts, so the certified flight instructor radioed a "mayday" call for assistance before attempting to make an emergency landing in a field, according to Eric Alleyne, air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board in Atlanta.

None of the four people inside the plane were hurt during the crash, according to emergency authorities. Emergency crews located the plane wreckage in a field just behind Little One's Day Care on Ga. Highway 74 south near Redwine Road.

The plane, which is registered to Peachtree Flight School, was on a training flight for a student pilot, Alleyne said. Peachtree Flight School is based at Falcon Field, Peachtree City's municipal airport.

The NTSB has refused to reveal the names of the instructor or student pilot who were involved in the incident. The plane also carried two other unnamed passengers.

The NTSB has already reviewed the plane wreckage, and the investigation is still open, Alleyne said. It could be several months before the agency resolves the investigation, he added.


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