FARMERSBURG, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The National Transportation Safety Board has released additional details on an airplane crash that killed Knox County judge Ryan Johanningsmeier.
The crashed happened in Lawrenceville, Illinois on Saturday.
According to NTSB’s preliminary accident report, Johanningsmeier departed Peter O Knight Airport in Tampa, Florida and landed at the Sullivan County Airport just before 1:30 a.m.
After refueling his plane, Johanningsmeier departed the Sullivan County Airport to go to Lawrenceville-Vincennes International Airport.
The report states that as the plane began it’s descent, Johanningsmeier confirmed that he had the proper weather to approach for landing.
The air traffic controller also cleared the plane for landing.
Shortly after, there were no further communications from the pilot to air traffic control. Multiple attempts to contact the pilot by air traffic control were unsuccessful, and an alert notice was issued for the airplane.
The report states that the airplane crashed at 1:23 a.m. CDT.
An examination by a Federal Aviation Administrator inspector revealed that there were multiple tree impacts north of the wreckage.
According to law enforcement, due to fog conditions, air search and rescue efforts were not initially available until the weather conditions improved.
The airplane was located by search and rescue personnel around 7:30 a.m.
