Cause of Fatal Plane Crash Remains Undetermined

The full investigation into a fatal plane crash that happened in Doylestown Township earlier this month may not be complete for a year, officials from the National Transportation Safety Board told Patch.

According to NTSB Public Affairs Officer Peter Knudson, investigators may take as long as 12 months to complete the final report of the June 1 accident that claimed the life of 69-year-old Buckingham resident John Szabo.

The NTSB released a preliminary report on June 5 saying Szabo’s twin engine, single-seat plane took off from the Doylestown Airport in a "shallow climb" before colliding with power lines on Route 313.  According to the preliminary report, a portion of the airplane remained suspended in the power lines as pieces of the plane hit the ground.

The airport manager, who was familiar with the pilot and the airplane, told investigators that Szabo trailered the airplane to the airport, arriving there before 10 a.m. that Saturday morning.

“After arrival, the airplane was part of a static display of aircraft and the accident flight was the first flight of the day” from the Doylestown Airport, according to the preliminary investigation. Szabo took off shortly after 12 p.m.

“The manager reported that the airplane rolled about 2,000 feet before becoming airborne and after becoming airborne noticed it was in a shallow climb. Concerned that the airplane would not clear trees past the departure end of the runway, he continued to watch the airplane and after it cleared trees, he diverted his attention,” the preliminary report said.