A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Petaluma Municipal Airport in Sonoma County, California, on October 7, killing two people on board. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the plane, a Van's RV-7A, went down in a field near Rooster Run Golf Course.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time. Both people on board were killed, according to the Petaluma police. A post-impact fire erupted after the crash, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation with the assistance of the FAA.
An investigator was expected to arrive at the scene on Thursday to document the wreckage before the aircraft is recovered to a secure facility for further examination. The NTSB will review various factors, including flight tracking data, air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records, weather conditions, the pilot's flight experience, and witness statements.
Gary McClintock, a golfer who was playing at the nearby Rooster Run Golf Course at the time of the crash, witnessed what appeared to be engine trouble shortly after takeoff. He described the plane's engine as "sputtering a little bit" before it crashed into a ball of flames.
The FAA lists the Van's RV-7A among its eligible amateur-built aircraft kits. A preliminary report from the NTSB is expected within 30 days, and a final report identifying the probable cause of the crash could take 12 to 24 months.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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