SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Engine issues shortly after takeoff caused a small plane crash near the Brookings airport last month, according to a a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
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Authorities responded to the Beechcraft single-engine, four-seat plane crash on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 8:59 a.m. that left the pilot and two passengers with injuries. According to the NTSB, the front-right passenger was knocked unconscious during the crash landing.
Brookings authorities reported a 32-year-old, 29-year-old and 28-year-old were injured in the crash. You can read the NTSB report below.
Report_CEN25LA368_200953_10_6_2025 3_12_51 PMDownload
The report says the plane was heading to Bozeman, Montana from Brookings.
The NTSB report says the pilot reported a “moderate vibration began at about 200-300 ft off the ground just after takeoff.” He heard a bang and he noted a decrease in engine power and thrust. “All the engine instruments looked good except for the RPM gauge, which normally would be at 2,500 RPM but was showing only 2,300 RPM,” the report says.
The pilot lowered the nose of the airplane and began a slow turn back toward the airport. He applied full throttle, but it did not change anything, the report said.
The report said the pilot heard the stall horn, leveled the airplane and realized he would not make the airport. The pilot instead aimed at a grass clearing.
After the airplane came to a stop, a fire ensued and the pilot and rear seat passenger were able to extricate the unconscious passenger out of the airplane.
According to the report, the pilot dialed 911 and handed his phone to the rear seat passenger who had lost his phone in the cockpit, to complete the call.
The pilot and the other passenger, who had regained consciousness, crawled into some tall wet grass to put further separation between themselves and the fire. The airplane was destroyed by the post-impact fire that consumed most of the fuselage and a portion of both wings. The airplane was recovered for further examination.
