Report: Tail, Wing Broke off Before North Carolina Crash

A preliminary report says a small plane crashed last month in western North Carolina after its tail and part of a wing snapped off.

The National Transportation Safety Board released a report that said investigators believe the plane fell straight down because few of the surrounding trees were damaged.

Authorities said 49-year-old Duane Moorer and his 22-year-old son, Duane Moorer Jr., died when the Piper PA-23 came down near Highlands on July 29. Both men were from Miramar, Fla.

The Asheville Citizen-Times reported Aug. 13 that NTSB investigator Jim Demko compiled the report based on witness interviews, air traffic records and the on-site investigation.

A final report is expected in six to nine months.
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Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times,
http://www.citizen-times.com