A National Transportation Safety Board investigator says a private plane that crashed in central Illinois early Tuesday, killing seven, climbed and turned in an unexpected direction before plunging into a farm field.
Investigator Todd Fox said Wednesday the twin-engine Cessna 414 appeared to miss its approach to Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. If that happened, the plane should have turned west to try again. Fox said instead, the plane climbed and turned east before crashing. He said the pilot's last radio communication didn't indicate any distress.
Fox emphasized the investigation won't be complete for at least a year. However, a preliminary report may be ready next week.
Along with Illinois State associate head coach Torrey Ward and deputy athletic director Aaron Leetch, five other Bloomington-area men were killed in the crash.
