The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its Aviation Investigation Final Report into a plane crash that occurred at Cortland County Chase Field back on September 14th. The NTSB said in their final report for the reason why the plane crashed, the pilot failed to maintain control while landing in gusting crosswinds, which then resulted in a noseover of the aircraft. The agency also noted his lack of familiarity with the airplane as another factor.
On that day, emergency crews from Cortlandville Fire, TLC Ambulance, City of Cortland Hazmat, and the New York State Police responded to the airport for a report of a single engine plane flipping over on the runway.
The pilot of the plane, a Cessna 305, was able to self-extricate from the aircraft before emergency crews arrived. He was later identified as 58 year old Bradley S. Fitchett of Ellsworth Kansas. Fitchett was transported to Guthrie Cortland Medical Center with minor injuries.
The plane had been traveling from Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport and was landing at the Cortland County Airport for refueling before its final destination in Kansas when it flipped.
