The Norman Transcript

Headlines

Discussion

March 1, 2013

NTSB says pilot lost control in OSU crash

By Chuck Bartels Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure to explain why a pilot lost control of a small plane that nosedived into an Arkansas ridge, killing the Oklahoma State women’s basketball coach and three others, according to a federal report.

An examination of the wreckage revealed no instrument failure and no anomalies in the engine or airframe before the Piper PA-28-180 went down near Perryville, Ark., on Nov. 17, 2011, National Transportation Safety Board said in a report dated Wednesday.

Oklahoma State coach Kurt Budke, 50, and assistant coach Miranda Serna, 36, were killed in the crash, along with the 82-year-old pilot, Olin Branstetter, and Branstetter’s 79-year-old wife, Paula. They were flying from Stillwater, Okla., to North Little Rock to scout two prospective high school recruits.

The NTSB concluded that the probable cause of the crash was Branstetter’s loss of control of the aircraft, but investigators found no evidence that the pilot had a medical issue that may have contributed to the accident. The board early on ruled out weather as a factor.

“The reason for the pilot’s loss of control could not be determined,” the report concluded.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Headlines
  • BikeToWorkDay Norman cyclists take the path less traveled to work

    Rain, shine or fog, Norman bicyclists show up every year, and have been showing up every year for eight years, for the city’s annual Bike to Work event. Despite drizzle and fog Friday morning, this year was no exception. “Norman has one ...

    May 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Fallin urges last-minute health care fix

    OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Mary Fallin proposed a last-minute legislative change Friday to the state’s Insure Oklahoma program that would direct $50 million in state tobacco taxes to pay for more than 9,000 people who are expected to lose their ...

    May 18, 2013

  • OU student allegedly changed his grades and faculty members’ passcodes

    Charges were filed against a University of Oklahoma student Thursday after the student allegedly changed faculty members’ passcodes and his own grades on Wednesday. Roja Osman Hamad, 24, was charged in Cleveland County District Court with ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Former student sues OU over school’s refusal to release student parking citation information

    A lawsuit was filed against the University of Oklahoma last week after the university repeatedly refused to release student parking citation information. The lawsuit was specifically filed against David Boren, individually and as the ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Nonprofithealth care centers Variety Care and Health for Friends to merge

    In an effort to serve Cleveland County’s medically under-served residents, Health for Friends, a Norman nonprofit community health center since 1985, is merging with Variety Care, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit Federally Qualified Health ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Five face drug charges after police search

    Five individuals face drug charges in Cleveland County District Court after Oklahoma City police executed a search warrant for a home in Cleveland County....

    May 18, 2013

  • Ousted IRS chief apologizes

    WASHINGTON — The ousted head of the Internal Revenue Service apologized to Congress on Friday for his agency’s tougher treatment of tea party and other conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status. He said they resulted from a misguided ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Norman residents to perform in concert

    Several Norman residents will perform during Windsong Chamber Choir’s spring concert “Windsong Alone” 4 p.m. Sunday at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3600 NW Expressway in Oklahoma City. The concert is free but donations are accepted....

    May 18, 2013

  • Correction

    Moore-Norman Technology Center superintendent Jane Bowen was appreciative of a $3 million increase to the state’s career tech system budget. It was incorrectly reported Friday that Moore-Norman received the $3 million increase instead of ...

    May 18, 2013

  • Canada abuzz over crack video

    TORONTO — A video purportedly of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack has caused an uproar in Canada. Ford on Friday called the allegations “ridiculous.” The video has not been released publicly, and there is no way to verify whether it ...

    May 18, 2013