WishekNDaerialviewWiskek (CSi) A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board indicates the cause of a small plane crash on June 9, 2016 in May Lake.

The report says the nose of the small plane pitched down rapidly while making a turn shortly after takeoff from the Wishek, North Dakota airport earlier this month.

The pilot, 20 year-old Colbie Fandrich of Wishek, his 38 year-old aunt, Christine Fandrich, and her 10 year-old son died in the June 9 crash just southwest of the Wishek Airport.

The initial report says a witness on the airport ramp saw the plane’s nose go down rapidly after making a turn to the right. The plane crashed into about four feet of water in May Lake.

Fandrich was flying his aunt and cousin to Bismarck for a dental appointment.

Previously…

WISHEK, N.D. (AP) – Authorities have identified three people who died after a small plane being flown by a 20-year-old crashed into a lake in North Dakota, on Thursday.

McIntosh County Sheriff Laurie Spitzer said Friday that 20-year-old Colbie Fandrich was flying the four seat plane with his aunt and her son as passengers when it crashed into May Lake near the town of Wishek.

Authorities have said complications during takeoff from Wishek’s airport resulted in the Thursday afternoon crash, which Spitzer says killed 38-year-old Christine Fandrich of Bismarck and her 10-year-old son, Aaron Nordstrom.

They were enroute to Bismarck. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

The sheriff says Colbie Fandrich had had his private pilot’s license for about a year. She says that officials were removing the plane from the lake, Friday.

 

Previously…

WISHEK, N.D. (AP) – Three people are dead after a small plane crashed south of Wishek.

The Highway Patrol said the four-seat plane crashed Thursday afternoon into May Lake while enroute to Bismarck.

Authorities say complications during takeoff from Wishek’s airport resulted in the crash.

The 19-year-old pilot, a 10-year-old passenger and a 39-year-old passenger suffered fatal injuries.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash