California authorities say a family of four died in a plane crash last week when a plane hit the ground first, then slid into the Watsonville Community Hospital’s medical building, bursting into flames.
The man who co-owned the plane that crashed said he knew the family from Santa Cruz. David Houghton was in the plane with his wife, Dede, and their two children, Luke and Ryan, flying to a family reunion.
Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board say they do not know how the crash happened; but stated the plane did not have any obvious mechanical problems.
No hospital patients were injured in the crash.
“There are ground scars that are consistent with a propeller rotating and striking the ground,” said Mike Huhn, a NTSB air safety investigator.
Investigators stated they will investigate air traffic control records, pilot certification and how much weight was in the plane.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board they look at three variables when determining why a plane crashed; man, machine, and environment.
The NTSB say they do not believe the pilot sent a distress call before the crash and at this point they do not want to speculate as to what caused the incident.
Read More: http://www.kionrightnow.com/story/15045306/watsonville-plane
