NTSB Releases Preliminary Report in Lake Coleman Crash

LAKE COLEMAN, TX – The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report on the plane crash that killed three people on February 20.

The report indicated the twin-engine Beechcraft Super King Air B200 crashed 20 minutes after it took off from Abilene Regional Airport.

According to KTXS, Chase Bellah, the 31-year-old pilot, told air traffic controllers that “the plane went through freezing drizzle while climbing to 8,000 feet.

Bellah told the air traffic controller that he was “having an issue with faulty deicing equipment and needed to return to Abilene Regional Airport.”

The pilot then stated the plane “blew a breaker after going through icy conditions.” According to the report, Bellah did not consider it an emergency, but informed the air traffic controller that he was having “issues with faulty instruments.”

Bellah reported his altitude at 4,700 ft and air traffic control instructed him to stay at 5,000ft. The report states Bellah stated he was “pulling up” and ceased to have communication after that moment.

The wreckage was found on a private ranch northwest of Lake Coleman. 

The two other victims in the crash were 70-year-old Cleve Whitener and 65-year-old Gary Morrison.