NTSB: No radio contact in Ala. crash that killed 3

January 10, 2013 @ 11:04 am

JASPER, Ala. (AP) - Federal investigators say the teenage pilot of a small airplane didn't have any radio contact before the aircraft crashed in Alabama on New Year's Day, killing the 17-year-old and two friends who were on board.

The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report Thursday. It says authorities learned of the crash in Walker County after witnesses called 911.

The report doesn't say what caused the crash.

The report backs up authorities who say the pilot took the twin-engine Piper airplane on a joyride and crashed.

While the pilot's mother denies he stole the plane, the NTSB report says the airplane's owner didn't give the youth keys to the plane and didn't let him fly it.

The teen pilot, Jordan Ryan Smith, had worked at the Jasper airport, cleaning the facility.


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Comments (4)


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  • Rikki Doxx wrote...
    Here Come The Lawsuits
    January 2, 2013 7:19 am
    Guess who's going to be sued over those deaths. Go ahead, guess. Hint: The owner for not securing his/her aircraft well enough, and, Cessna.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ssbn629g wrote...
    impulsive teenagers...
    January 2, 2013 8:36 am
    With the sense of immortality.... The male teenage brain is wired for this type of thing...taking risk while dismissing the very real possible consequences. I feel for the families left to deal with the loss of a child.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RobertK wrote...
    Rikki Doxx
    January 2, 2013 8:36 am
    They'll sue Cessna? That will be a very interesting lawsuit considering Piper built the airplane in question and not Cessna. Think the plaintiff's will prevail with their action against Cessna?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Drool wrote...
    Piper Unlikely to be Sued
    January 2, 2013 6:20 pm
    GARA probably protects them pretty well in this case.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }