FAIRMONT, W.Va. (AP) - Federal investigators say pilot error is the probable cause of a small plane crash in Fairmont in August.
A report by the National Transportation Safety Board says the pilot failed to maintain airspeed and exceeded the wings' critical angle of attack. This caused an aerodynamic stall.
The Eurocoupe 415 C crashed onto a road adjacent to Fairmont Municipal Airport shortly after taking off on Aug 14. The pilot suffered minor injuries.
The report says the pilot turned back to the airport after he noticed that a fuel float gauge didn't move, and then began to fall quickly. The pilot raised the plane's nose to slow down as he approached the airport but the aircraft was "too low and too slow."
The Times West Virginian first reported the board's findings.