Federal Investigators Reveal Cause of Plane Crash That Killed Two Rochester Men

Bay City, WI (KROC-AM News)- Federal authorities have determined the cause of a 2022 plane crash that claimed the lives of two Rochester men.

See Also: Rochester Plane Crash Leads to Airport Emergency Protocol Change

The training flight departed from the Rochester Airport on September 6, 2022. It crashed while attempting to land at the Red Wing Regional Airport in Bay City, WI.

The day following the deadly crash, the Pierce County, WI Sheriff’s Office identified the occupants of the single-engine plane as 28-year-old John Zeman and 20-year-old Ethan Smith.

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which was tasked with investigating the fatal aviation crash, has released its findings.

NTSB Determines Cause of 2022 Western Wisconsin Plane Crash That Claimed Lives of Rochester, MN Men

Investigators learned the aircraft made four attempted landings before crashing during the fifth approach.

The investigation found the aircraft was descending at a faster rate than the first four aborted landings and was nose down at the time of the fatal crash.

Investigators determined that a poor and unstable landing caused the crash.

The investigation also determined that the plane did not experience any mechanical malfunction or failure.