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NTSB begins investigation in fatal plane crash

The investigation continues in Comal County where a plane crashed -- killing a family of four on board.
The investigation continues in Comal County where a plane crashed -- killing a family of four on board.

The investigation continues in Comal County where a plane crashed and killed a family of four on board.

The victims were Scott and Heather Galloway. Their two children Clayton and Cheyenne were also, on the plane.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board were at the crash site, Strutty's Feed and Pet Supply Store on highway 281, on Sunday.

NTSB spokesperson, Ed Malinowski, said Sunday morning's storm delayed the investigation but once the rain stopped, they were able to go through and start collecting evidence.

Malinowski said Galloway's aircraft did not have a flight data recorder on it.

He said investigators are looking at the crashed plane, Gallowy's background and the aircraft's background.

The spokesman said the plane was a Piper PA-24 Comanche, a single, low-engine aircraft.

He said it would be speculation to discuss if this specific type of plane has had any issues before or engine problems.

The manufacturer of the plane, Piper, was out at the site Sunday, including the engine manufacturer and the Federal Aviation Administration.

"We're looking to gather everything from witness marks, how the airplane impacted the ground at an angle, where the burning did occur during the ground impact fire," Malinowski said.

"Even if you didn't know the family themselves we know people who knew them, worked with them, who loved them. It impacts us all. There's a heavy dark sadness all over the area today," Tina Platt said, an area resident.

On FAA's website, it indicates Galloway's plane is owned by Charles Torkelson.

Torkelson did not want to talk on camera but said he is no longer the owner of the plane. He said most likely, Galloway did not sbumit the registration certificate to FAA. Torkelson said he sold the plane more than a year ago and did not have any issues with it when he owned the aircraft.

He said when he owned it, a mechanic doing an annual inspection accidentally ran it into a hangar. He said the insurance settlement indicated that it was a total loss and the insurance company sold it to a salvage company called Wentworth Aircraft in Minnesota. Torkelson said it ended up being sold to someone in Pleasanton, Texas. Then, that person sold it to Galloway.

Torkelson said he saw Galloway fixing up the aircraft at an airport in Castroville. He said after talking with Galloway, he could tell he was an experienced mechanic. Though, he didn't know how long Galloway had been flying.

NTSB said it should have a preliminary report available on what may have happened within 5 to 6 days on its website.

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