Early report: Pilot nearly hit another plane before fatally crashing near Show Low airport

A preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board said a small, single-engine plane that crashed, killing 40-year-old David Gillette of Utah and 11-year-old Lorelai Johansen of Tucson last month, nearly crashed into another small plane as both were attempting to land at Show Low Regional Airport.

The report states an airport employee saw two planes both making a final approach on the same runway and immediately reported it on a flight frequency. The report says other witnesses saw a Cessna 182 fly in front of and directly below an "experimental amateur-built Vans RV-6A airplane."

Gillette's RV-6A was descending into the Cessna when the latter aborted its approach and turned right toward the north. The report said Gillette, the RV-6A's pilot, acknowledged on the flight frequency that he had been on the wrong frequency and apologized while also canceling the approach and turning the same direction as the Cessna.

The report states witnesses saw the RV-6A complete its turn before dropping sharply toward the ground. Investigators later discovered the plane struck the ground "in a near vertical nose down angle."

The RV-6A was later taken to a secured facility for additional examination. An official cause behind the crash was not available.

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or perry.vandell@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pilot nearly hit another plane before crashing near Show Low airport