The pilot of a twin-engine Cessna that crashed in Tennessee Dec. 11, killing four people from the Tampa Bay area and injuring a fifth, was concerned through the flight about the buildup of dangerous ice on the plane.
Findings of fact issued Monday by the National Transportation Safety Board, say the pilot, Javid Jochman, 49, of New Port Richey, delayed his departure from Columbus, Ohio, to let icing dangers ease and took numerous de-icing steps during the flight to Greeneville, Tenn.
Jochman even complained to a passenger during the descent into Greeneville that air traffic controllers were keeping him in the clouds too long, which could have made icing conditions worse.
The plane crashed into a mountain and burst into flames.
Ice buildup on the skin of an aircraft can disrupt the smooth flow of air over the surface and make it impossible for the plane to stay aloft. A buildup of ice in the engines can disrupt operations.
The findings of fact do not assign blame for the crash. That could come in the final report.
Jochman died in the crash along with John Saunders Jr., 40, founder and owner of Saunders Advisory Group in South Tampa; and Saunders Advisory employees Hani Boutros, 26, of Brandon, and Laura Jones, 44, of Tampa.
There was one survivor: John Saunders Sr., 58, of Lutz, who was thrown from the wreckage.
According to the NTSB report, John Saunders Sr., also a pilot, told investigators that Jochman received clearance to change altitudes several times to stay out of clouds. And Jochman told Saunders to keep an eye out for ice on the leading edges of the wings and the engine covers.
Saunders reported seeing Jochman inflate de-icing boots twice, which break up ice buildups on the wings, and apply anti-icing solution to the propellers. The report said Saunders did not see Jochman take steps that could have alleviated engine ice, but Jochman might have done so when Saunders wasn't watching.
On approach to Greeneville, the NTSB report said, "they leveled off at their assigned altitude, and the pilot commented that he did not understand why (controllers were) keeping them in the clouds.
" ... At about the same time the airplane came out of the clouds, the airplane started to buffet and shake. (Saunders) asked the pilot, "What is it? What is it?' The pilot stated, "I think I know what it is."'
Jochman then applied power in an attempt to gain altitude, and Saunders said he knew at that point they would crash.
"(Jochman) turned around and instructed the passengers to fasten their seatbelts tighter and to put a coat or a blanket over their face," the report said. "He turned around and tightened his lap belt and shoulder harness. The treetops were closer, and the pilot made a comment as they collided with the mountain."
The report does not say what Jochman's comment was.
A witness on the ground said he saw the plane flying straight and level at about 200 to 250 feet above the ground. Then it went into a steep bank, collided with trees and smashed into the ground in a fireball.
