NTSB Preliminary Report On Fatal Chadron Plane Crash Shows No Engine Or Instrument Anomalies

     The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the Nov 21st plane crash near Chadron that killed three people says no anomalies were found in the plane’s engines or instruments. 

      The report doesn’t identify the cause of the crash, but the NTSB almost never does in the preliminary report – which normally comes out 4-to-8 weeks after a crash. The probable cause will be in the final report, usually released in 12-18 months.

      Killed in the crash were the pilot, 44-year old Dr Mathew Bruner – chief medical officer at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, his 21-year old son Noah Bruner, and 19-year old Sydnee Brester of Gering, a family friend.

      The trio had flown from Scottsbluff to Chadron, picked up another Bruner son, Chadron State College James Bruner, and flown to the Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings game. 

       On their return, they landed in Chadron and let off James but the plane crashed shortly after takeoff. 

      The NTSB report says the takeoff appeared normal and the plane climbed to about 200 feet before turning to the right and descending into a hillside about a mile and a half from the Chadron airport.

      The plane was engulfed in flames and the NTSB says most of the wreckage was consumed by the fire.