The NTSB is now investigating the crash of a small plane at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport Monday evening that killed the two people on board.  

It happened around 5:20pm. Witnesses say the aircraft’s right wing dipped and crashed at about a 45-degree angle. The plane then caught fire seconds after hitting the ground. 

The public airport is owned by the city, and is located in the Kearny Mesa area, north of Aero Drive.

The National Transportation Board issued this statement Tuesday:

NTSB is investigating the crash of a Cessna 172 on Sept. 8 in San Diego, California. The preliminary information we have is the plane impacted terrain on airport property during a go0around at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. A post impact fire ensued. 

An NTSB investigator is en route to the scene and is expected to arrive this afternoon. Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation.   

NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. As part of this process, investigators will gather the following information and records:  

Flight track data 
Recordings of any air traffic control communications 
Aircraft maintenance records 
Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident 
Pilot’s license, ratings and recency of flight experience 
72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safely operate the flight 
Witness statements 
Electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation 

Any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras  

Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.  

During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident.  

The NTSB has no role in the release of the identities of accident victims and/or the extent and number of injuries nor does it release the identities of those injured or killed; that’s handled by local authorities.   

A preliminary report will be available within 30 days; it can be accessed by searching our website with the NTSB number WPR26FA330.

(Photos Mark Larson, iHeartmedia talk show host and San Diego licensed pilot)