Crime & Safety

New Details Released in Fatal Plane Crash

Mark Stern, 63, of Redding died from injuries suffered during a plane crash in Danbury last week.

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DANBURY, CT — A preliminary investigation report from the National Transportation Safety Board on Sunday's fatal plane crash revealed the airplane began to lose altitude just after takeoff while still over the runway. The single-engine Cessna Skyhawk aircraft piloted by Mark Stern of Redding "appeared to correct" before beginning a left roll and crashing into the ground near the dog park on Miry Brook Road, according to the airport tower controller cited in the NTSB's report.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector found that the plane's main body, the fuselage, crashed nose down 1,000 feet from the runway. The aircraft's left wing was partially separated from the rest of the aircraft.(For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Danbury Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

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Stern, 63, was hospitalized and died four days later. Two other passengers, who remain unidentified, suffered serious injuries. Police released the 911 tapes from the crash, which first came in at approximately 10:25 a.m.

According to the report, the aircraft had been inspected on July 17 and was filled with fuel in both tanks just two days before the crash. The day of the crash was the first flight since it was fueled. Stern also held a private pilot certificate for single-engine airplanes and helicopters. His most recent medical experience was issued on June 14 where he reported 582 hours of total flight experience.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are continuing to investigate the causes of the crash, which the NTSB says could take 12 to 18 months to conduct a complete investigation. The plane was rented from a "fixed-base operator" (FBO). FBOs are granted rights by the airports to provide rental, fueling, hangaring and more.

A memorial for Stern will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Norwalk Inn in Norwalk.

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