More details in the plane crash that killed four people on a Georgia highway May 8 were revealed in the National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report recently released. The report does not give an official cause for the crash.
The pilot of the Piper PA-32R-30 reported normally for landing, according to the report:
"Ground control instructed the pilot to taxi for runway 3R, via bravo, hold short 3L, and the pilot read back the instructions correctly. The pilot then contacted the tower controller informing them that he was holding short 3L and ready. The tower controller instructed the pilot to "fly heading 360 and cleared for takeoff." The pilot then questioned the controller regarding which runway to take off from and the controller cleared the pilot for takeoff from runway 3L. Approximately two minutes after departure the tower controller called the pilot to verify heading. The pilot responded "zero-two-victor, I'm having some problem climbing here." Followed by "zero-two-victor; were going down here at the intersection." This was the last transmission made by the pilot."
The victims were identified as Christopher, Phillip, and Greg Byrd, and Jackie Kulzer. The pilot, Greg Byrd, was a retired Buncombe County, North Carolina deputy, and father to Phillip and Christopher.
Christopher and Jackie were engaged. Jackie is a graduate of St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta.
