UPDATE: NTSB Completed Survey of Crash Site / Plane Crash Victims Recovery Complete/NTSB Leading the Investigation with the Help of Gilmer Fire and Rescue

FYN spoke with Chief Pritchett at 5:30 this afternoon. He let FYN know the NTSB has completed a survey of the crash site and are preparing a plan to remove the plane. The time of removal has not been announced. The survey was necessary for the investigation. Removal will take place immediately after the plan has been completed.

FYN spoke with Chief Tony Pritchett at 6:15 Thursday evening and was given the following update regarding the plane crash. According to Pritchett the mission to recover the plane crash victims was completed today and the bodies have been turned over to the Gilmer County Coroner’s Office. Pritchett told FYN the crash site was in a concentrated area and evidenced by the findings there had been a large fire. FYN declines to release additional details relating to the recovery out of respect and compassion for the victims’ families.

NTSB will now begin investigating to determine the cause of the crash. They will also need to determine the best way to remove the wreckage. Since the wreckage is in a wilderness area FYN was told today by National Forestry Service the disturbance from removing wreckage will need to be cleared through the Washington DC NTSB Headquarters. FYN will update in that regard as new information becomes available.

FYN spoke with Jose Obregon from the NTSB at a press conference this afternoon.
He confirmed to FYN that Gilmer Fire and Rescue knew the terrain and was leading the way into the Rich Mountain Wilderness Area by cutting a road that would allow access to the crash site.

NTSB NEWS CONFERENCE 6-02-11 FYN Speaks with Jose Obregon from Fetch on Vimeo.