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Initial Investigation Shows No Obvious Mechanical Failures In Hampton Plane Crash

Update 3:50 PM:

Federal investigators say an initial probe shows the small plane that crashed shortly after takeoff in New Hampshire had no obvious mechanical failures before it fell from the sky, killing two people.

Todd Gunther of the National Transportation Safety Board says witness accounts indicate the Cessna pitched up sharply after take-off on Monday at Hampton Airfield, rolled to the left then plummeted into trees.

Gunther said Tuesday that the propeller was turning, the engine was running properly and all the flight control devices appear to have been working before the plane crashed.

The pilot, 81-year-old David Ingalls of Kingston, and a passenger, 62-year-old Bruce Anderson, were killed. Investigators will be looking at the health of both men.

Gunther also said there was no sign of fire in the plane.

Tuesday AM:

Federal investigators are expected at the scene of a small plane crash in North Hampton that killed the pilot and a passenger.

Authorities say the plane was attempting to take off from Hampton Airfield on Monday.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the plane was registered to a Kingston man. Kingston officials confirmed the pilot was 77-year-old David Ingalls. They said the 2013 town report was dedicated to him for his more than 30 years as a member of Kingston's Conservation Commission.

The Portsmouth Herald reports state Rep. Ken Weyler of Kingston said the passenger was Bruce Anderson. He said Anderson owned a tree service and had just retired.

The plane crashed about a football field's length from the Airfield Cafe. Many patrons ran to help.

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