NTSB Releases Initial Findings in Barnes Plane Crash

New information is coming to light about the plane crash that claimed the lives of prominent local attorney Steve Barnes and his niece, Elizabeth.

WIVB reports the National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the October 2 crash in Genesee County.

According to the report, before the plane started to fall, Barnes, who was piloting the plane at the time, reportedly told a radar controller “everything’s fine.”

They say the controller saw the plane falling quickly at a speed of almost 14,000 feet a minute and lost contact with Barnes. -WIVB

The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report says Barnes' plane made a 360-degree right turn, before losing contact with radar.

This is only the first report from the NTSB; they say they are still investigating and this report is not the final report on the tragedy.

The crash happened in a wooded area near 9115 Boyce Rd. in Pembroke. The plane, a Socata TBM 700 was located by a Genesee County Sheriff’s deputy.