Photo: Getty Images
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report on the fatal airplane crash that occurred in Windham in November. The crash claimed the life of 49-year-old pilot Seuk Kim and one of the three rescue dogs he was transporting. Kim was flying for Pilots N Paws, a volunteer organization that transports rescue animals, from Maryland to Albany when the accident happened.
According to the NTSB report, Kim's Mooney M20J aircraft encountered moderate to heavy turbulence at an altitude of 5,000 feet. Kim communicated with air traffic control but did not issue any distress calls. He reported that the turbulence had decreased before the plane began its descent.
The report indicates that the aircraft descended from 5,000 feet to below 3,500 feet within minutes. The plane ultimately crashed into the woods at an elevation of 3,090 feet, just below the mountain's peak. The wreckage showed significant damage, particularly to the wings and forward fuselage.
Two of the dogs on board survived the crash. "Whiskey," a 4-month-old lab mix, and "Pluto," a young yorkie/terrier mix, are recovering with foster families. The final NTSB report is expected to take over a year to complete.