Small Plane Strikes Power Line Before Plunging into Nebraska’s Platte River
FREMONT, Neb.—According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a small aircraft apparently hit a power line before crashing into the Platte River in Nebraska, resulting in the deaths of all three individuals onboard.
Details regarding the Friday evening incident are limited as the NTSB investigation is still in its early stages. A preliminary report from the agency is anticipated in a few weeks, but the conclusive report determining the cause may take over a year to complete.
Officials from Fremont Airport informed KETV that the aircraft was operating without its transponder activated. However, Scott Vlasek, director of the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s Aviation Institute, noted that this might not have been necessary since the plane was navigating through uncontrolled airspace along the river.
Investigators plan to review the maintenance log of the 71-year-old Cessna 180 for any indications of mechanical issues that may have led to the crash.
The Dodge County Sheriff’s office has identified the three victims as Daniel Williams, 43, from Moundridge, Kansas; Jeff Bittinger, 50; and Randy Amrein, 48. Both Bittinger and Amrein were residents of Fremont, Nebraska.
