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UPDATE: NTSB issues correction, now says one fatality in Madisonville crash

Authorities said the pilot died at the scene but five others were pulled from the wreckage the morning of the crash.

MADISONVILLE, Texas — UPDATE: 3.06 p.m.

The NTSB is working to correct its report on the plane crash at the Madisonville Municipal Airport on June 13. The agency issued the preliminary report Wednesday, stating all six people on board the plane had died. KAGS called the NTSB to confirm the information and Peter Knudson, a public affairs officer and spokesman for the NTSB, said the information in the report was correct and that there were six fatalities in the crash.

KAGS then reached out to Sgt. Justin Ruiz with Texas DPS to ask about the number of fatalities and survivors in the crash. Sgt. Ruiz said he was confused by the NTSB's report and said to his knowledge, the five survivors were still alive.

Upon calling Knudson at the NTSB a second time, KAGS told him what our local authorities were saying. Knudson said he would check the information once again and return our phone call. After a few moments, Knudson returned our phone call and confirmed that the five survivors are still alive and continuing to recover. The pilot, Apolo Diaz was the only fatality in the crash.

Credit: NTSB
The initial NTSB report states in two separate areas that six people were killed in the crash. Knowing these reports often can have misinformation, a phone call to speak to NTSB officials was made and it was confirmed that six people were killed. Two hours later, upon another call to them after information they issued and confirmed contradicted local authorities, they retracted that report and confirmed five people were still alive.

PREVIOUS STORY:

The NTSB has released its preliminary report on a fatal plane crash that happened on June 13 at the Madisonville Municipal Airport.

The report stated the crash had six fatalities, despite rescue crews pulling five survivors initially out of the crash.

The crash happened just before midnight. According to the report, the private pilot, later identified as Apolo Diaz, 68, of Kansas City, died in the crash. NTSB investigators said the plan was identified as being a "personal flight."

According to the report, the plane hit 50 foot trees 680 feet south of the approach end of the runway at Madisonville Municipal Airport.

The wreckage was later found about 550 feet south of the approach end of the runway. The report stated there was no explosion or fire before, during or after the crash.

Upon investigation of the wreckage, NTSB investigators said the propeller had an S-shaped bending that was consistent with engine power and the trees that were along the path of the wreckage had slash marks. This, investigators indicated, that the propeller hit the trees.

The preliminary report stated the wing flaps were fully extended, indicating Diaz was intending to land the plane. The report stated the wreckage did not show at this point any mechanical problems that would have caused the plane to crash.

MADISONVILLE PLANE CRASH PRESSER: June 15, 2021

The NTSB is giving an update on the plane crash in Madisonville. The pilot was killed and five people were critically injured when the plane crashed just short of the runway Monday. The NTSB said it has finished its preliminary investigation. Press conference to start at 4 p.m. Read More: https://www.kagstv.com/article/news/local/ntsb-investigating-plane-crash-madisonville/499-0cada43f-87a7-4a23-bcb1-84fbd145552e

Posted by KAGS TV on Tuesday, June 15, 2021

The plane, a Piper PA-32-260 Cherokee Six, was scheduled to land at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, June 13 at Madisonville Municipal Airport, according to the flight plan. The plane left Port Isabel Cameron County Airport in Port Isabel, Texas just before 9:30 p.m.

NTSB officials said the investigation is not yet over and they have many factors to consider, including Diaz's background. The final report will be issued within six months to a year. 

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