Witnesses say the aircraft reached only 100 feet or so after takeoff, then made a left turn to possibly attempt landing on north Orange street (Business I-49), according to Dennis Jacobs, airport manager.
Moments later the aircraft appeared to stall and nosedive into the ground, which was also witnessed by Bailey Reed who was driving southbound parallel to the airplane.
"They didn't have time to jump" she said, answering a commonly asked question regarding a situation like this.
The aircraft had made nine successful flights in the days before the crash, including two earlier in the day on June 14, according to FlightAware, an online aircraft tracking company, leaving many to wonder what was different about this particular flight.
The aircraft had made nine successful flights in the days before the crash, including two earlier in the day on June 14, according to FlightAware, an online aircraft tracking company, leaving many to wonder what was different about this particular flight.
At the center of controversy is the 'dreaded low altitude turn' or 'impossible turn', something pilots are taught to avoid, knowing that such maneuvers without adequate engine power can result in additional altitude loss and doing it too close too the ground can have disastrous results.
The other option, if there is an issue during climb out, is to immediately put the nose down and look for a place to land. But then again, the pilot-in-command is just that- they make decisions based on the best information and training they have available.
Others are questioning whether the aircraft had engine trouble or if there was an issue with weight and balance, among other things.
It is entirely too soon to tell.
The case is now in the competent hands of the NTSB and a preliminary report is expected in about 30 days with the final report taking 12 to 18 months to complete.
In the meantime, families and friends of loved ones are left with the task of making final arrangements.
The NTSB says the wreckage will be moved to an undisclosed location for further forensic analysis.
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