A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been released regarding a fatal plane crash that occurred in Bowie in June. While the report outlines the flight path of the aircraft, it does not provide a definitive cause for the incident.
The small Piper Cherokee, owned by the Washington International Flight Academy based in Maryland, departed from Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg at approximately 4:30 p.m. on June 20. The aircraft landed in Ocean City, New Jersey, at 5:41 p.m. with three passengers on board: 26-year-old Yoav Bomrind, 19-year-old David Rabinovich, and 20-year-old Elad Neidik.
After a brief stop, the plane took off from Ocean City at 9:28 p.m. to conduct three touch-and-go landings, a training maneuver where the pilot lands and immediately takes off again. Following a short landing at 9:44 p.m., the aircraft departed for Gaithersburg at 10:10 p.m. and climbed to an altitude of about 8,500 feet.
About 40 miles into the flight, the plane began to descend, dropping to 2,326 feet before continuing its descent. Bomrind attempted to communicate with air traffic controllers, sending a radio call that was described as “partially unintelligible.” He then activated a 7700 transponder code, signaling an in-flight emergency.
Controllers responded and inquired if he required assistance. Although it is unclear what Bomrind communicated, he indicated a desire to proceed to Freeway Airport in Bowie but reported he could not see the airport. This was the last transmission received from the aircraft.
At 11:28 p.m., the plane crashed into a wooded area in Bowie, near a playground and a residential complex. The impact resulted in significant damage to the aircraft, with both wings detached and the cockpit crushed. All three individuals aboard were killed.
Local authorities were alerted to the crash via an iPhone notification, prompting a search by numerous first responders. The crash site was initially located by members of the aviation community who notified police. Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom, initially mistaking it for a thunderstorm or a tire blowout.
The NTSB continues to investigate the incident, with a full determination of the cause and contributing factors expected to take 12 to 24 months.
Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).
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