NTSB releases preliminary report on deadly plane crash

OSHKOSH, WI – (WGBW & WISS) – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report on the deadly plane crash that happened less than two miles from Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The pilot and the passenger on the flight, 37-year-old Sean Tommervik of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and 32-year-old James Sullivan of Brooklyn, New York were heading to EAA from New Jersey when the Lancair ES, N18BG, crashed in a farmer’s field just south of Oshkosh.

According to the preliminary report, the airplane was on the Fisk arrival pattern when air traffic controllers instructed it to widen its turn for two other planes that were landing. The pilot acknowledged, initiated a left turn, and was cleared to land on the yellow dot of runway 36L. The pilot acknowledged the clearance. 

The plane crashed in a soybean field. The report says a post-impact fire destroyed the airplane which was recovered from the scene and kept for further examination.