Three individuals tragically died in a small airplane crash that occurred in western Massachusetts on Sunday. The victims were identified as 68-year-old William Hampton, 29-year-old Chad Davidson, and 53-year-old Frederika Ballard. Hampton and Ballard were affiliated with the Fly Lugu Flight School, serving as a flight instructor and the school owner, respectively. The crash occurred near the Greenfield-Leyden town line and was first reported by dog walkers in the vicinity. Authorities from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.
The aircraft involved in the fatal crash was a Beechcraft 55 Baron Twin-Piston, which had taken off from Barnes Airport in Westfield before the incident. Both NTSB and FAA confirmed the fatalities of all three individuals who were aboard the plane. The extended investigation is expected to include a comprehensive analysis of the pilot, the aircraft, and environmental conditions at the time of the crash. The NTSB is reaching out to potential witnesses or individuals with relevant information to provide their testimony, surveillance videos, or other data that could aid in the inquiry of the tragic incident.
As part of the thorough investigation, NTSB vowed not to speculate on the crash’s cause, willing to disclose the probable cause and contributing factors in the agency’s final report, which is anticipated to be available within 12-24 months. The community has been urged to cooperate with authorities and provide any pertinent information as federal, state, and local authorities continue their investigation. The NTSB is committed to documenting and collecting evidence and records that would help in understanding the full context of the incident.
