Press Release 3

Press Release 3

NTSB investigating plane crash at DCA June 8, 2010

NTSB investigating plane crash at DCA UPDATE:

2:36 p.m. Update: According to the NTSB, the Yellow Mistress, a World War II trainer was built in 1942 or 1943. It was the second plane to land on runway 1 in a formation of three planes.

The pilot had 800 hours total flight experience, 180 hours in Stearman aircraft, the NTSB said.

The plane landed at approximately 70 mph, officials said, and sustained damage to two blade propellers, which were bent and curled. The tail rudder and vertical stabilizer suffered "significant damage." There was also damage to the nose, engine, one wing and a strut.

The agency plans to post a preliminary report on its Web site within 10 days, officials said.

-- Stephanie Lee

2 p.m. Update: Doug Freeman, a spokesman for the film, said the eight planes that flew into the airport were all built between 1938 and 1943. He said that an investigation would be conducted but it was believed that the plane "picked up more of a crosswind than was expected" and overturned.

FAA records show the plane is registered Michael Truschel of Nokesville, Va. Truschel did not immediately return a call to his cellphone Tuesday. In a newsletter from the Vintage Aircraft Association, Truschel says he named his plane the Yellow Mistress.

No other planes were involved in the accident, but airport officials had to close the main runway for about 90 minutes as they brought in a crane to remove the plane from the runway.

-- Associated Press

1:10 p.m. Update: The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the Tuesday morning accident at Reagan National Airport, which occurred about 10:05 a.m.

The NTSB described the plane as a Boeing Stearman ST75, which flipped after landing on Runway 1 at the airport.

According to a statement, Senior Aviation Safety Investigator Robert Benzon has been designated as the investigator-in-charge.

NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman will hold a press briefing on the incident today at 1:30 p.m.

Original post: A runway at Reagan National Airport has closed after a vintage airplane crashed Tuesday morning.

Eight vintage biplanes were headed to the airport to mark the premiere of "Legends of Flight," a 3-D IMAX film about aviation history, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

The plane landed before pitching forward and rolling over. The plane was carrying the pilot and one passenger--a Washington Post reporter. They were not injured.

Stay with Postlocal.com for more details, including video.

--Ashley Halsey III - 2010