Plane wreckage removed from crash site

The plane involved in Sunday's crash was transported Wednesday to Holts Summit. Using Cole County Sheriff deputies as escorts, Tow Pro Services hauled the fuselage on one trailer and the wings on another.
The plane involved in Sunday's crash was transported Wednesday to Holts Summit. Using Cole County Sheriff deputies as escorts, Tow Pro Services hauled the fuselage on one trailer and the wings on another.

The wreckage of a single-engine plane that crashed Sunday afternoon in southern Cole County was removed from the crash site Wednesday night and taken to a location where investigators can examine it.

Officials with the National Transportation and Safety Board said it will take about a year before the final report will be complete, though a preliminary report with basic information should be available in a few days.

The plane was taken to Tow Pro in Holts Summit.

The records of the pilots and the history of the plane will be looked at, and interviews will be conducted with witnesses as well as those on board.

Authorities identified the pilot as John Abbott and the co-pilot as Mark Blume. The owner of the plane was identified as Dr. Wes Stricker.

Authorities said the only damage that could be found caused by the crash was to one of the nearby Three Rivers Electric Cooperative power lines.

Both the pilot and co-pilot had managed to get out of the mangled plane and were tending to each other's injuries when emergency responders arrived at the scene.

The only call received by authorities was from the property owner, who saw a low-flying aircraft then heard a loud crash at about 2:30 p.m. at 1610 N. Teal Bottom Road, near its intersection with South Teal Bottom Road.