Pilot, 76, Was Experienced Flier
Pilot Died In NLV Crash Into Home
POSTED: 6:15 pm PDT August 25,
2008
UPDATED: 9:48 pm PDT August 25,
2008
NORTH LAS VEGAS -- An experienced pilot was at the controls when a plane crashed into a North Las Vegas home last week, according to FAA records.The crash killed three people, and two of the identities were confirmed on Monday.One of the victims in the house was Lucy Costa, 76. The Clark County coroner said she was killed from acute carbon monoxide poisoning.The pilot of the plane was also 76. He was identified as Mack Murphree Jr.The third victim’s name has not been released, but the family confirmed it to be Jack Costa, 80, Lucy's husband.The pilot was from Dayton, Nev., which is just outside Carson City.FAA records showed he had plenty of time under his belt in the skies. He was also licensed as a ground instructor, engineer and a mechanic.The records showed he was licensed as an airline transport pilot for both single-engine and commercial jets, but the experimental plane he was flying had only five hours of total flight time.FAA regulations state these planes should have between 25 and 40 hours of flight over unpopulated areas before flying over urban populations.These days, pilots can basically take their planes wherever they want, and some say that’s something that needs to be fixed.The FAA is still investigating whether the plane had actually been flown long enough to fly over populated areas.The National Transportation and Safety Board said a preliminary report on the cause of the crash may be released within the next week.
Previous Stories:
- August 25, 2008: County: Elderly Couple Killed In Plane Crash
- August 22, 2008: 3 Killed In NLV Plane Crash
- August 22, 2008: Aviation Director Wants To Talk To FAA
- August 22, 2008: Plane That Crashed Was Kit Plane
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