The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into the July 26 fatal crash of a crop duster in Leflore County will like take a year to 18 months to complete, according to a spokesman for the NTSB.
“This is still early in the investigation,” said Keith Holloway, a public affairs officer based in Washington.
Darryl Eugene “Gene” McCreary, 60, of Cleveland was killed instantly in the crash of the AT-602 Air Tractor, which was owned by Sturdivant Flying Service of Glendora.
McCreary was an experienced pilot, flying his 37th season, and had 28,000 flying hours at the time of the crash.
Dense fog was reported by farm owner Mike Wagner when the crash occurred.
Holloway said the board issued an initial report two days after the accident.
That one-page report, which is available on the FAA website, notes the type of aircraft involved, the nearest town (Drew) and the fact that one fatality occurred.
The report’s terse description reads: “The aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances.”
Holloway said the NTSB will issue a more detailed report in about six to nine months.
“After that, we’ll issue a final report on probable cause of the accident,” he said.
That final report could take a year to 18 months to complete.
Holloway said weather, visibility and other factors would be taken into account in the final report. If, by that time, a major accident or safety issue is discovered, he said, it might prompt a convening of the five-member safety board.
