LEWISTON, N.Y. — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released their preliminary report in the fatal plane crash in Lewiston that took the life of the pilot, 26-year-old Melanie Georger,
The NTSB opened an investigation into the single-engine plane crash and the wreckage scene located along the Niagara Scenic Parkway following the July 20 crash.
In an initial investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, it revealed that Georger was the only person onboard when the plane fell out of the sky. She had been headed back to land after dropping off several skydivers from Skydive the Falls.
Georger is a graduate of Kenmore East High School and the University at Buffalo where she studied aerospace engineering. Her father told 2 On Your Side back in July that she was a lover of aviation.
Prior to the report being released, the NTSB said it would not speculate regarding the cause of the crash while they gathered any potential evidence at the scene, adding that investigators had begun documenting the wreckage, packing it up, and getting it ready for further review at an off-site location.
The preliminary report states Georger had completed five uneventful flights on the morning of the July 20 accident. The fatal accident had occurred during the 6th flight, after all of the jumpers had departed the plane leaving Georger as the only one left onboard.
"According to preliminary air traffic control (ATC) communications obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), at 1135, the pilot reported to Buffalo Approach West Radar control that the flight was 2 minutes prior to the jump. At 1140, the controller attempted to terminate radar services with the airplane but received no response. At 1144, another company airplane, who was attempting to locate the accident airplane, noted smoke on the ground about 2 to 3 miles west of the jump zone." according to the NTSB report.
In the report they also note Gregorer's experience as a pilot, going back to April of 2014.
"Her most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on July 31, 2023. As of July 2024, she had accrued about 1,449 total hours of flight experience, about 102 of which were in the accident airplane make and model." the report stated.
To view the full report, which details the path Georger took and the crash scene, click here.
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