Safety board report released

A National Transportation Safety Board probable cause report stating the accident that killed former Alaska Airlines executive Bruce Kennedy near the Cashmere Airport was the result of pilot error was met with a mixture of relief and vindication from local pilots.

The report shows that the Cessna piloted by Kennedy, which crashed as he tried to land in Cashmere was due to a combination of pilot error and sun glare.

While Kennedy was flying from Montana to Cashmere June 28, One of the wings of his plane clipped a tree near the airport, causing the plane to drop uncontrolled into a parked vehicle and stop at a parking lot more than 500 feet away from the runway.

"Witnesses stated the sun was low on the horizon in the direction the airplane was flying and very bright at the time of the accident," the report states.

Bruce Graham, a longtime pilot from Cashmere, expressed relief at the NTSB's findings.

"They did a good job," he said. "People who read that in the paper understand that the airport is not at fault.

Graham said the nine months the NTSB took in releasing its findings did not surprise him.

The NTSB has recommended the airport purchase the land where the tall trees are, at the east end of the airport, and replace the trees with grass. Graham said the agency has promised federal assistance in buying the land.

No timeline has been set for the purchase of the land, Graham said.

"These things, when you deal with the federal government, do not happen overnight," he said. "I've got a guess for you, and I'd say within the next couple of years."

Dan Stewart, the airport manager, was not available for comment.

Sebastian Moraga can be reached at (509) 782-3781 or by e-mail at moraga@cashmerevalleyrecord.com