Le Mars, Iowa — The National Transportation Safety Board has completed its investigation into the November airplane crash that claimed the lives of four northwest Iowa residents.
According to the accident investigation report, the NTSB says examination of the plane wreckage at the accident site in a pasture near Guthrie Center, revealed a two-inch long crack in the engines aft exhaust muffler. The inner surface of the muffler heat shroud was coated in sooty tan and grey colored deposits. Similar deposits were also present on the inner surface of the cabin heat hose that ducted air from the shroud to the cabin heat distributor box assembly.
Toxicology testing performed by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office revealed elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the blood of all four people in the plane. Killed in that plane crash were the pilot, 49-year old Ed Anderson, 36-year old Patrick Kellen, and 15-year old Samantha Clark, all of Le Mars, as well as 28-year old Tyler Douvia of Merrill.
