NTSB probes cause of crash that killed stunt pilot

<p>Pilot Ken Johansen, 52, was killed when his single engine World War II-era plane crashed and burst into flames.</p>

News 12 Staff

May 31, 2018, 10:06 AM

Updated 2,396 days ago

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Investigators are working to determine the cause of a small plane crash that killed a Pennsylvania stunt pilot in Melville Wednesday.
Pilot Ken Johansen, 52, was killed when his single-engine World War II-era plane crashed and burst into flames around 2 p.m.
Officials say Johansen was an executive officer with the Geico Skytypers, a graduate of the Naval Academy, a naval aviator and a professional airline pilot. He was from Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
Officials say Johansen and five other members of the Skytypers were leaving from Republic Airport in Farmingdale for Maryland before his plane went down. The team had just performed for crowds at the Bethpage Air Show this past weekend.
An investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board says members of the Skytypers have been interviewed. The NTSB had no comment about the possible cause of the crash.
Aviation expert Michael Canders, from Farmingdale State College, said cellphone video of the incident will most likely play an important role in the NTSB’s investigation.
In the meantime, the NTSB says it is working to move the remains of the plane to a more secure location.