Not really new information, but confirms previous reports
Apr 2, 9:46 AM EDT
Report: Pilot asked to divert, gave no reason
By JOAN LOWY
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A preliminary report on the Montana plane crash that killed 14 people two weeks ago says the pilot twice asked air traffic controllers to divert from the flight's original destination but gave no reason either time.
The National Transportation Safety Board's report was released Thursday. It said an eye witness told investigators he saw the single engine turboprop west of the runway centerline at the Bert Mooney Airport in Butte, Mont., when the aircraft banked to the left and flew farther west of the runway, then it rolled, pitched down and descended out of view.
The report said the pilot of the Pilatus PC-12/45 twice asked air traffic controllers for permission to divert from the flight's original destination of Bozeman to Butte.
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