Federal investigators release preliminary report on deadly Marion plane crash

MARION, Ind. (WISH) – A new report from federal investigators suggests the pilots of two planes did not see each other before a crash in Marion.

The crash killed two firefighters from Madison County.

The NTSB just released its preliminary report Tuesday morning on the deadly crash from April 2.

The report says the plane carrying Kyle Hibst and David Wittkamper was taking off, when it hit the tail of a second jet that had just landed.

It goes on to say the pilot of that second jet tells investigators he never saw the plane taking off, and did not remember making a call that he was landing.

It also notes that the layout of the airport would have prevented both pilots from seeing the other jet, based on teh runways they were using.

The NTSB report does not list a probable cause for the crash. A final report will likely take 12 to 18 months to complete.