Weather ruled out as factor in fatal Tampa plane crash

Saturday, July 19, 2008

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The pilot, who had cancer, was flying an Angel Flight mission at the time of the crash.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The National Transportation Safety Board began their investigation Friday in a plane crash that killed a man, woman, and a teenager at Vandenberg Airport Thursday afternoon.

Investigators say weather was not likely a factor in the crash. Bay News 9 meteorologists say between 3:15 and 3:30 p.m. there were light rain showers in the area and no lightning.

Investigators are now looking to see if it was mechanical or a pilot error that caused the plane to crash.

NTSB investigator Corky Smith said the plane was at about 45 feet in the air when something went wrong.

"Witness observed aircraft as it rotated and then struck localizer antenna and then came crashing to the ground bursting in flames," Smith said.

The pilot has been identified as Harlan "Lanny" Northcott, 81.

Northcott, who himself had cancer, had picked up the passengers in Stuart, Florida to transport 49-year-old Patricia Snyder for medical treatment in Tampa as part of Angel Flight. She had brought along a 15-year-old family friend, identified as Tyler McLellan.

Northcott was taking them back home Thursday afternoon when the plane crashed.

More Information

New details into crash
911 call #1 (audio only)
911 call #2 (audio only)
Ground video of crash (Courtesy of Hillsborough Co. Fire Department)
Aerials of crash
Press conference about crash
Pilot's son: dad had 'love for flying and helping people'
E-mail TV reporter Josh Rojas

According to reports, the Beachcraft Bonanza crashed and ended up at the end of the runway, completely engulfed in flames.

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Capt. Bruce Delk said the pilot asked for flight clearance six minutes before the crash.

The sheriff's office said the plane was taking off from the airport and possibly hit a tower.

Glenn Northcott said his dad died doing what he loved to do, which was one of two things.

"He was flying his airplane," he said. "And at the same time he had two passengers on board with Angel Flight mission, which he volunteered his time and plane to carry these people around the southeast part of county."

"It's very unfortunate that they were involved in the accident. My heart goes out to their families. I get chills even thinking about what they might be going through right now. Because their families were trying to cling to life and then a tragedy like this takes place. It's horrible and my heart goes out to them."

Northcott said his dad had been flying since 1976 and flew Angel Flight missions 80 percent of the time and visited him and his family in Louisiana the rest of the time.

Glenn Northcott described his dad as a good guy with a huge heart.

Northcott himself is a Continental Airlines pilot. He was en route to Florida with his family to have dinner with his dad, who he last spoke to Thursday morning.

He broke down crying when he recalled their last conversation. Northcott said after making plans to meet later that night his dad's last words were, 'Oh good, I'm so excited. I can't wait to see you guys.'

The small airport is located near the junction of I-75 and I-4 in Tampa.

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