WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — The NTSB released preliminary information on what led two planes to collide in Winter Haven earlier this week.
Thursday, the NTSB recovered the second plane, the Piper Cherokee from Lake Hartridge.
In a news conference, the NTSB said they reviewed video evidence and air traffic information for the plane collision in Winter Haven that left four people dead.
The Piper Cherokee was not doing touch-and-go maneuvers, as investigators originally thought but did one full-stop landing and two go-around maneuvers.
According to the NTSB, the Piper Cherokee plane announced its location and intention to approach runway 29 in Winter Haven. The NTSB said an emergency transmission came from the Cherokee, but no transmission came from J-3 Cub.
The Cherokee announced they were performing a short approach to the Winter Haven Airport runway, then 30 seconds after they announced again, they were making a left base turn.
“Piper Cherokee was making a left descending turn and came nose to nose with the Cub which attempted an evasive maneuver. We do not know what each pilot could see at this point of the investigation,” said Lynn Spencer with NTSB.
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Investigators said videos show the Piper J-3 Cub attempted to dive to the right immediately before the mid-air collision. According to NTSB, transmissions in this airspace are not required.
"This might indicate the Cherokee was unaware of the Cub and if the Cub could not hear what the Cherokee was announcing, they may have been unaware of the Cherokee," said Spencer.
The right wing of the Cherokee Piper came off during the collision, but it has yet to be recovered. Officials said the J-3 Cub has been fully recovered.
The body of one of the four victims was located by first responders quickly after they arrived. The other three were found after a lengthy search by boat and by helicopter.
Multiple agencies, including Winter Haven Police, Winter Haven Fire, NTSB, FAA, and Polk County Fire Rescue, assisted in the search.
The NTSB said their goal is to find the probable cause and improve air safety. Investigators have met with airport officials and operators of the aircraft. They are encouraging all parties involved to hold safety meetings.
NTSB will conduct interviews and complete the recovery in the following days. The wreckage will be taken to Jacksonville, where it will analyzed to better understand how the planes collided
