FAA: Ann Arbor airport plane crash investigation could take weeks
The investigation into what went wrong before Thursday’s plane crash at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport could take several weeks, according to a Federal Aviation Administration official.
Pittsfield Township public safety personnel surround the crashed plane at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport Thursday
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Cory said a typical timeline for a crash like the one on Thursday is several weeks and investigators will examine everything from the plane’s construction to the pilot’s actions.
Federal investigators will also check to see if all rules were followed, if the plane was properly maintained and licensed, and any other regulations that may apply, she said.
“We look at those areas to determine what happened and why,” she said. “We’ll use that information to prevent a crash from happening again with similar aircraft in the fleet.”
A two-seat experimental airplane crashed shortly after take off at about 11:43 a.m. Thursday. The pilot had to be cut out of the plane after being trapped, according to Pittsfield Township Public Safety Director Matt Harshberger.
The pilot was trapped in the plane for about 30 minutes, but was reportedly conscious and talking with emergency crews at the scene, Harshberger said. He was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which were non-life threatening, said Huron Valley Ambulance spokeswoman Joyce Williams.
Williams said the man was in serious but stable condition.
Pittsfield Township public safety officials said Friday that they’ve turned over the investigation to the FAA.
The plane was a fixed-wing, single-engine aircraft licensed by a company from Flat Rock. The pilot’s identity and condition was still unknown as of Friday afternoon.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
snapshot
Fri, Apr 6, 2012 : 11:42 p.m.
Glad he survived and didn't go down in a residential area like the military aircraft in Virginia Beach. those pilots survived but civilians on the ground are still missing in the debri and fires.
SPIKE ROBERSON
Mon, Apr 9, 2012 : 7:15 a.m.
I won't deny having a healthy amount of paranoia. As it turns out, all are accounted for and no one was killed at Virginia Beach. Everybody got lucky this time.
tdw
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.
Spike....I think you maybe a little paranoid there.I don't see any anti-military sentiment there.And I am 100% pro-military and despise anti-military talk.But the fact is a plane went down in Florida it just happened to be a military plane. A2....a few minutes ago HLN said there were 4 ( I think ) people missing
A2comments
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 11:43 a.m.
That is not accurate. They are assuming people are missing until they complete a search of all buildings. No one has been reported missing as of last night.
SPIKE ROBERSON
Sat, Apr 7, 2012 : 5:35 a.m.
It's always sad when anybody dies, but I sense a little anti-military sentiment here. If you're concerned about the dangers of military aviation, you are free not to buy or lease near a military airfield. In one sixteen-month period in the 1980's, I saw my own squadron lose two helicopters and crews plus pax. In total, 19 officers that I knew personally in my own squadron and others got killed in helo crashes in that time; I stopped counting after that. It's a profoundly dangerous business done with the utmost regard to safety toward the civilian population, and you should be thankful that this country still produces men an women willing to do it for you.