The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report on the plane crash October 2 that killed prominent attorney Steve Barnes and his niece in Genesee County.
The reports says that Barnes was returning to Buffalo from New Hampshire and had requested a runway.
The report says the plane missed a check-in with the Boston Air Traffic Control Center. About 15 miles east of Buffalo Niagara, the plane reestablished contact and was told to descend to 8,000 feet.
That was the last communication with Barnes. The aircraft began a rapid decent, and the report says the plane made a final 360 degree turn before contact was lost.
Witnesses heard the plane before the crash, and said the “engine sounded very loud” prior to the impact.