The National Transportation Safety Board released updated information Friday concerning a deadly plane crash which happened February 4, 2015 in Lubbock. Dr. Mike Rice lost his life in the crash at 5600 Avenue A. The crash also caused a partial collapse of the TV tower at KCBD. No one was injured on the ground.
The weather was overcast with a cloud ceiling of 800 feet, according to the updated report. The report also said the TV tower was 814 feet tall. The report also said there was rime icing that night – which means little droplets of moisture from cloud cover or fog create ice on solid materials such as airplane wings.
The updated factual report seemed to say the plane’s propeller hit a TV tower guy wire. The guy wires provide support to keep a tower standing.
It said, “A propeller blade tip separated and exhibited scoring consistent with contact with a metal wire. The propeller nose cone displayed striations consistent with a large gauge wire similar to the downed guy wire.”
The updated report seemed to downplay the possibility of icing.
It said, “The post-accident examination determined there was no evidence of structural icing on the airplane and no signs of ice were reported by first responders.”
The pilot had been warned of icing and responded via radio, “Okay, I’ll be looking.”
The report also said, “A final Forensic toxicology fatal accident report … was negative for tested drugs.”
Rice had completed a biennial flight review in December of 2013 and was found to be proficient to fly the plane.
The report also ruled out engine problems saying the engine showed no evidence of damage prior to the crash.
The report also summarized the video from two surveillance cameras. Both cameras indicated, “The airplane appeared to be in a left descending turn.”
The radar data also indicated a “rapid” descending left turn.
The report did not yet provide a probable cause for the crash.
Rice was flying into the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport from Carlsbad.
