Transportation safety board releases preliminary report on fatal Kearney plane crash

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The National Transportation Safety Board on Monday released its preliminary investigation report on the plane crash that killed two Kearney men last month.

Just before 9 p.m. on Aug. 27, a small Cessna 210D airplane crashed near Kearney, killing 77-year-old Dr. Mark Meyer and 74-year-old Kent Magnuson.

Radar coverage was lost on the plane and it was reported overdue at its destination airport.

The plane was found the next morning in a corn field about five miles north of Kearney Regional Airport (EAR).

According to the safety board, the plane departed Bakko Aviation Airport in Glenwood, Minnesota, around 6:45 p.m.

The plane was headed to Onion Crest Airpark (43NE) in Riverdale, Nebraska, but diverted to EAR due to low ceilings and the lack of an instrument approach into 43NE.

At the crash site, officials said the debris field was 154 feet long and 23 feet at its widest point.

At the start of the debris field, officials found the right wing tip, nose gear, right wing strut, left wing tip, a portion of the right horizontal stabilizer, left door, right door, left wing, propeller and right landing gear.

At the end of the debris field, they found the main wreckage with a detached right wing lying next to it.

The cornstalks in the field were damaged at a 45 degree angle, according to officials.

Officials said the plane was retained for further examination.

The cause of the plane crash is yet to be determined.