Preliminary report released into fatal Norfolk plane crash

NORFOLK, Neb. (KTIV) – Federal authorities have filed their preliminary report on a plane crash in northeast Nebraska that killed the pilot.

The crash occurred on Monday, October 7, near the airport in Norfolk. According to police, first responders were called to Norfolk Regional Airport around 7:40 p.m. where they found a crashed plane near the runway. The pilot, 37-year-old Philip Widner of Bedford, Texas, died at the scene.

According to the preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the crash occurred immediately after takeoff and landing, approximately 600 meters from the runway. Authorities say the plane was operating a cargo flight and was headed to Omaha.

“The aircraft exited runway 20 and descended from the ground. The aircraft then entered a left turn, descended and impacted the terrain,” the NTSB’s preliminary report said.

The crash saw the plane split into two pieces, with the tail section coming off and the rest of the plane landing about 22 meters away.

“Following the impact, a fire ensued, consuming much of the debris,” the NTSB said.

All of the aircraft's major components were found at the crash site, but due to fire damage, no usable readings could be recovered from the cockpit.

It is still unclear what caused the crash as authorities are still investigating.

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