The aircraft crash that killed former NFL tight finish Russ Francis and one other man at an airport in New York state occurred after the craft’s engine apparently misplaced energy, a federal investigator stated on Tuesday.
Francis, 70, and Richard McSpadden, 63, had taken off from the Lake Placid Airport on Sunday afternoon in a single-engine Cessna 177 when the aircraft encountered bother. The aircraft, which has two steering columns, had rotated in an try to land, officers stated.
“The engine apparently misplaced energy,” Nationwide Transportation Security Board investigator Todd Gunther stated at a briefing on Tuesday. “The pilot, or pilots on this case, turned again towards the runway.”
Gunther stated the aircraft hit a berm on the finish of the runway and fell about 30ft right into a ravine, according to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
A number of witnesses instructed investigators that the pilots referred to as over the radio to say that they had an issue and have been returning to the airport, Gunther stated.
Two planes have been concerned in a deliberate scenic picture shoot of the 1976 Cessna that Francis and McSpadden have been flying. The photographer’s aircraft took off first, adopted by the Cessna, in response to the newspaper.
Francis was a Patriots first-round draft choose in 1975 and performed in New England till 1980. He was named to the Professional Bowl in three straight seasons from 1977 to 1979. He joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1982 and was a part of the 1984 group that beat Miami within the Tremendous Bowl. He returned to New England in 1987 and retired the 12 months after.
Francis was a veteran pilot and president of Lake Placid Airways, which runs constitution and scenic flights.
“We’re deeply saddened by the sudden and tragic lack of former New England Patriots tight finish Russ Francis. Our condolences are prolonged to Francis’ household and associates,” stated the Patriots in a press release on social media.
In addition to his curiosity in aviation, Francis had spells as knowledgeable wrestler and ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Hawaii within the early 2000s.
Gunther stated the investigative group might be working in Lake Placid till Friday as they collect materials for a preliminary report on the crash. A subsequent ultimate factual report will embody evaluation and a possible trigger for the crash.