Investigators To Hold Hearing On Plane Crash That Killed Inquirer Co-Owner And 6 Others
By Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Federal air safety investigators are holding a hearing Wednesday morning in Washington to determine what likely caused the crash last year in Massachusetts that left seven people dead, including Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner Lewis Katz.
Previous reports point the finger at the pilots: air safety investigators suggesting they didn't do the proper checks, and realized too late that a wind gust locking system was on. That kept the jet from taking flight. It hurtled into a ditch and exploded.
"I'm not buying into the NTSB saying this highly experienced crew didn't do a control check. That's not possible in my judgment and my experience."
Arthur Wolk is the attorney for two of the victims' families in a lawsuit against Gulfstream and others. He's waiting to get his first look at the wreckage, which the NTSB will release after the meeting:
"We're having an inspection in the middle of October." says Wolk. "We'll start making some independent judgments, and I'm sure they'll be different than the ones made by the board."
Investigators today also are expected to release recommendations designed to prevent a similar accident.