The National Safety Transportation Board confirmed that Hammond, La., insurance agent Wade Speed, who was killed when the small plane he was piloting crashed Dec. 5, wasn’t instrument rated.
According to investigators at the scene of the crash near state Highway 443, there was a low ceiling and misty rain around the time of the 9:45 p.m. crash that claimed the life of Speed, who earned his pilot’s license in 2002.
After examining the wreckage and taking pictures of the scene, investigators gave little information on what may have caused the crash, but they did tell The Hammond Star newspaper that a pilot would need to be instrument rated to fly in the weather and visibility conditions at the time of the crash.
Police said the Piper Cherokee was apparently headed southward when it came down about 100 feet from River Road, eight miles north of Hammond Municipal Airport.
Area residents reported hearing the plane’s engine making a sputtering sound as the plane turned in a circle and headed south, back toward the airport, just before it crashed, clipping bushes as it came down, and burned.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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