Pilot error cited in two fatal plane crashes

UNDATED - A plane that crashed near Gainesville last year - killing the pilot - did so after running out of gas, according to the NTSB's final report on the accident. The agency has also determined a probable cause of a fatal plane crash near Ellijay two years ago.

In the Gainesville incident, a plane went down April 24 near Athens Highway and Barrett Road killing 80-year-old Anthony Poniatoski of Elk Rapids, Michigan. The National Transportation Safety Board found evidence showing "the airplane was last fueled on April 17, 2006. (However) It could not be determined if the airplane was flown after this refueling and prior to the accident flight. The amount of fuel onboard the airplane at the time of departure could not be determined."

The NTSB concluded that the probable cause of the crash was "the pilot's improper preflight planning and preparation which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion."

Poniatoski's wife, Dorothy, 79, was seriously injured in the accident. The couple was on a flight from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, to Michigan.

ELLIJAY CRASH

Meanwhile, the NTSB's final report on a fatal plane crash near Ellijay in August 2005 says it occurred after the pilot became disoriented after flying into bad weather.

"While in contact with an air traffic controller, the pilot (Patrick Goudey of Sherrills Ford, N.C) requested and received clearance to change his altitude to maintain VFR (Visual Flight Rules)," according to the report. "The pilot continued the flight under VFR, and crashed in mountainous terrain in an area of IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) conditions and precipitation. Examination of the accident site revealed evidence of a high-speed, steep-angle descent into terrain (but no evidence of mechanical problems with the plane)."

The report concluded that the crash occurred because of "the pilot's continued cruise flight under visual flight rules into known adverse weather, which resulted in his loss of control of the airplane due to spatial disorientation, and an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's spatial disorientation."

Goudey had taken off from Mooresville, N.C., on August 8 2005. He was reported missing the same day. The crash site was located two days later near Springer Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest.