“We will be looking at the plane’s maintenance report and also talking to the lone survivor to determine what caused the crash”, Williams said.
Advertisement
One of the passengers, Brianna Davis, was the surviving passenger. NTSB spokesman Terry Williams said the plane was being moved to a secure location where investigators can begin examining the aircraft.
As the footage shows Reginald Hillard Jr’s girlfriend Brianna Davis bought him a trip in a plane for his birthday so they could see New Orleans from the sky. He was a hero living.
Hillard’s cousin, Yolanda White, said Davis told family members that the tour had ended and they were returning to Lakefront Airport when she realized they were in the water. First time he flew on a plane.
Relatives said Reginald was afraid of flying, but put aside his fears when his girlfriend, Brianna Davis, surprised him with an aerial tour of the city. The couple took pictures on the plane before tragedy struck.
Hilliard was a great swimmer; that’s why family members said they believe he pushed his girlfriend out of the plane.
The father-of-three was from Baton Rouge, Louisiana was known by friends and family as “Lil’ Reg”.
“She surprised him and he took the challenge”, White said.
According to officials, the unidentified pilot was experienced, but did not call for help.
The body of pilot Jim Biondo, 58, was found still buckled to his seat inside the aircraft alongside that of Reginald.
Once in the air, the aircraft hit a rainstorm, airport director Ben Morris told WDSU.
Authorities are now piecing together what happened the night of the crash.
“They gave us the signal that there were two bodies in there, so we knew it was his and the pilot’s”, White said.
Hilliard’s family said they believe the pilot misjudged the runway.
“He loved his life and he lived it to the fullest. And this is God’s will”, said Anthony Coleman, another cousin of Hillard’s, told WDSU. “There isn’t [anything] we can do about it, but accept it”.
Advertisement
The National Transportation Safety Board, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
