New York, NY–The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) www.ntsb.gov released preliminary findings of the Cessna 421 plane that crashed into an Oakland Park, Florida, neighborhood on April 17, 2009 shortly after take-off. The 80 year-old pilot, Cecil Murray, left Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, en route to Fernandina Beach, outside of Jacksonville, to sell the 35-year-old Cessna 421 airplane. According to the NTSB’s investigation, the pilot was experiencing engine trouble before, during, and after take-off causing the plane to crash into a house on the 5200 block of Northwest First Avenue, in Oakland Park at about 11:15 a.m.
According to airport ground crews, at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, the pilot ran both engines, full power, for over 20 minutes before shutting down, adding oil, and then restarting the engines again. The pilot took off approximately five minutes after throttling the engines to full power again.
Aviation accident experts claim this is an unusual procedure for any pilot, especially a seasoned flyer like Murray. Pilots typically check engines for about five minutes before taxing down the runway and taking off.
Aviation filing records show, Murray, a resident of Costa Rica and part-time resident of Tamarac, Florida, registered the plane under Sebring Air Charter Incorporated. NTSB airplane crash investigators learned, from local police authorities, a witness videotaped the fiery crash and have requested the cameraman come forward. Anyone with any information regarding the Oakland Park plane crash that killed pilot, Cecil Murray, can contact the local office of the National Transportation Safety Board at 305-597-4610.
Media by New York personal injury attorney Jonathan C. Reiter an aviation accident lawyer. Empire State Building, 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2811, New York, NY 10118. Telephone (212) 736-0979. www.jcreiterlaw.com
