NTSB: Small plane was late in turning before crash

NEW JERSEY (FOX 5 NY) - Federal investigators say a jet appeared late in turning and banked hard before crashing near New Jersey's Teterboro Airport.

The National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday issued a preliminary report into the May 15 crash of the Learjet 35, which killed two crew members.

The NTSB says radar data indicated the flight did not start its right circling turn until it was less than a mile from the approach end of the runway. Controllers said aircraft typically start the turn around four miles (6 kilometers) away.

The Learjet Model 35 crashed on approach to Runway 1 at Teterboro Airport at about 3:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. It hit a warehouse on Kero Road in Carlstadt at about 3:30 p.m., according to the Bergen County Police Department. That is less than a mile from the airport. Several buildings and vehicles caught fire, according to Carlstadt Police.

A controller reported observing the wings almost perpendicular to the ground before leveling off and the left wing dropping, showing the entire top of the plane before the plane came down.

No one on the ground was injured.

With the Associated Press