Report: Simulated Stall Before Fatal New Jersey Crash

A simulated engine failure may have played a role in a small New Jersey plane crash that killed one person last month.

The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report in the accident at Millville Airport on Aug. 29.

Investigators say the plane’s last recorded radio transmission came a few minutes before the crash and reflected that the flight instructor and a student pilot were simulating an engine failure.

A few minutes later, witnesses reported seeing the dual-engine Beech 95-A55 hit the ground while veering to one side, then cartwheel off the runway.

The NTSB report says the plane was registered to the student pilot, who died in the crash. Aviation records show the plane was registered to Ronald LeCates of Swedesboro. The flight instructor suffered serious injuries.