Small Plane Crashes into Lake Winnipesaukee: Preliminary NTSB Report

In a puzzling turn of events, a small plane that tragically crashed into Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, displayed some unusual flight behavior. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed initial findings, shedding light on the sequence of events leading to the incident.

The crash, which occurred on September 30, claimed the life of the pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft. The wreckage of the Cessna 150 plane was discovered submerged in approximately 57 feet of water. The NTSB's report, made public late Monday, refrained from disclosing the pilot's identity, but the state Fish and Game Department identified him as Robert Ashe of West Ossipee, New Hampshire. Federal Aviation Administration records confirm that the plane was registered to Ashe.

The NTSB's preliminary report unveils the flight's timeline. Departing from Rhode Island's T.F. Green International Airport in Providence at approximately 6:10 p.m. on September 30, the pilot's intended destination was the Laconia Municipal Airport in Gilford, near Lake Winnipesaukee. Around 7:38 p.m., the pilot entered the right downwind leg of the traffic pattern for the runway. Weather conditions were favorable at the time, with calm winds, clear skies, and a visibility of about 5 miles.

The NTSB report details the plane's erratic flight path: "The airplane continued on the downwind and made a slight left turn while over Lake Winnipesaukee. The airplane then entered a descending right turn before it then began to climb. The airplane then entered another descending right turn before radar contact was lost."

Eyewitnesses on the scene observed the plane's landing lights, with one witness describing the aircraft going "full throttle" and executing a sharp "dive down" during a right turn in descent. Tragically, moments later, the plane crashed while the engine remained at "full power."

Remarkably, the NTSB's examination revealed that the plane's major flight control components were accounted for, and there was no evidence of an in-flight or post-impact fire.

According to the report, the pilot held a private pilot certificate, with his last flight review dated September 9. Notably, his flight logbook, which dates back to December 2020, contained no records of nighttime flying.

This preliminary report offers crucial insights into the tragic crash, but investigators will continue their work to piece together the full story behind this incident.