Preliminary report on fatal Windham plane crash released

WINDHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The National Transportation Safety Board has released the preliminary investigation report on the fatal Windham plane crash. The crash happened on November 24 around 6:18 p.m., leaving the commercial pilot, Seuk Kim, fatally injured.

According to the report, the Mooney M20J departed from Hartford County Airport in Churchville Maryland for Albany International Airport around 4:40 p.m. Around 6:05 p.m., the airplane was at a height of 5,000 feet and began to descend. By 6:07 p.m., the airplane was below 3,500 feet.

During Kim's flight, he contacted air traffic control and reported moderate to heavy turbulence at 5,000 feet. He lowered the plane to 4,300 feet and reported that the turbulence lessened to light to moderate, which was the last transmission to air control.

The last data point reported in the report shows the airplane's altitude as 3,025 feet, which was within 100 feet of the accident site elevation. According to the report, the airplane impacted the woods at an elevation of 3,090 feet, just below the mountain's peak.

"The first identified impact points were two trees that were approximately 80 ft from the where the airplane’s fuselage came to rest. Each tree had one of the airplane’s flaps wrapped around the trunk, at a height of about 30 ft above the ground. A tree to the left of the initial impact trees contained remnants of the left aileron and wing, which were also approximately 30 ft up in the tree. The primary wreckage location consisted of the fuselage, empennage, engine, and propeller. The fuselage came to rest oriented on a heading of 82° true. The wreckage path was approximately 80 ft long and was along a heading of 38° true," the report stated.

The report continued, noting the most damage occurred to the wings and forward fuselage. "Both wings had separated from the fuselage, and portions of both wings were located along the wreckage path. The empennage remained attached to the fuselage and displayed impact damage signatures with most of the damage occurring to the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator."

The wreck was retained for further examination. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation closed The Escarpment Trail between the Elm Ridge Lean-to and the summit of Windham High Peak until they can remove the wreckage.