By paNOW Staff

Investigators provide early update on Fond du Lac plane crash

Dec 15, 2017 | 3:13 PM

Transportation safety officers attempting to determine what caused a plane to crash shortly after take-off from the Fond Du Lac Airport Wednesday evening have provided an early update on their investigation.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) confirms the team on site has “recovered and secured” the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, and emergency locator transmitter from the West Wind Aviation ATR42 that was carrying 22 passengers and three crew members when it went down.

In response, West Wind has grounded all other ATR aircraft for the time being.

These types of investigations, according to the TSB, can be complex and take time, adding it is “important not to draw conclusions or speculate as to causes at this time. There are often many factors that can contribute to an accident.”

“However, should the investigation team uncover safety deficiencies that present an immediate risk, the board will communicate them without delay.”

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In the coming weeks, investigators will continue to survey the 800-foot wreckage path caused by the plane and comb through components, instrumentation and any device that contains non-volatile memory. 

Aircraft maintenance logs, pilot training, qualifications and proficiency records will also be obtained and reviewed. Operational policies and procedures, as well as regulatory requirements, will also come under the microscope.

Investigators plan to conduct a wide range of interviews.

On-site assisting in the investigation are representatives from the aircraft and engine manufacturers, ATR and Pratt & Whitney Canada, respectively, alongside a minister’s observer from Transport Canada.

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