Plane Crash Pilot Failed to Fly Out of Icing Conditions, Report Says

A newly released federal report on the December 2011 plane crash into Route 287 that killed all five people aboard claims the crash was caused by the pilot's inability to fly out of icing conditions, according to an Associated Press report on NorthJersey.com.

Before taking flight from Teterboro on a plane ride that ultimately ended tragically, pilot Jeffrey Buckalew did not request or receive information on weather conditions, according to an earlier report released in January. Buckalew's two children; wife, Corinne; colleague, Rakesh Chawla; and family dog were aboard the Socata private plane.

Local residents reported debris from the plane raining on them just after crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) explained in January that while weather conditions were icy that December day, Buckalew, who lived in North Carolina, was unaware of exactly what he would be facing as he flew the plane. The plane crashed near the Morristown exit of the highway.

But in the newest findings, the NTSB concluded that when Buckalew did become aware of the icing conditions and communicate with air traffic control, he may have held back from flying higher or been unaware of how severe the weather conditions were. The NTSB said Buckalew ultimately lost control of the plane by failing to depart from the icing conditions fast enough.