NTSB: Mechanical Malfunction Did Not Cause Fatal UND Incident

The incident that killed a University of North Dakota aviation student on October 18 was not the result of a mechanical malfunction, the NTSB says in its preliminary report.

Just after 7 p.m. that evening, John Hauser, a 19-year-old UND student pilot on a solo, crashed near Buxton, North Dakota. The airplane, a Piper PA-28, was operated under Part 91.

According to the preliminary ATC data, the airplane departed at about 7 p.m. from Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK) and was bound for Hector International Airport (KFAR) in Fargo.

After departing Runway 17L and climbing to about 3,700 feet, the aircraft traveled 30 miles in the direction of KFAR. The airplane then turned left about 180 degrees and began a rapid descent. ATC data was lost at approximately 7:24 pm local time.

The report said there were no mechanical malfunctions that would have hindered normal operations.