Propeller replaced prior to fatal plane crash
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RONAN — A new propeller had been freshly placed on a plane that crashed Dec. 16, 2014 west of Ronan and left one man dead and another seriously injured, according to a preliminary report released last week by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The report says passenger Tim Schauss of Pablo was operating the Piper Super Cub aircraft from the rear seat at the time of the crash. Commercial pilot Brett Thoft, 33, originally of Polson, was sitting in the front seat of the aircraft and died.
Thoft was an experienced pilot who ran an Alaskan piloting business.
According to the report Schauss was a student pilot who had purchased the airplane September 30, 2014. Thoft, who was a certified mechanic, installed the new propeller just before flight, the report says.
Witnesses reported that they saw the airplane maneuvering at low altitude a few minutes prior to the accident and one person reported that the airplane’s engine accelerated and revved up just before impact. An additional witness said the airplane performed several erratic maneuvers where it rapidly climbed and descended like a crop duster.
The airplane was recovered for further examination. The report is preliminary and investigators stipulate that details contained with in it might change before a final report is released.
