NTSB report: Pilot acknowledged safety alert shortly before Victoria plane crash

A preliminary accident report by the NTSB says the pilot of a small plane that crashed in Victoria earlier this month, killing three, acknowledged a safety alert shortly before the crash.

According to the report, when the plane got about 9 1/2 miles from the runway at Flying Cloud Airport, it descended below 2,500 feet msl, triggering a low altitude alert to the Flying Cloud tower controller. The controller then transmitted a safety alert, which the pilot acknowledged.

Family members identified Dr. James Edney — a surgeon from Omaha — as one of the passengers who was killed. The others were identified as Dr. Sara Mertes and her husband, Jake Mertes. The plane also belonged to Edney.

Shortly after the pilot acknowledged the safety alert, the plane made an abrupt left turn and rapidly descended, and radar contact and communications were lost. Officials said a distress call was never transmitted.

The preliminary report also notes that several witnesses heard loud popping sounds before the plane crashed and saw the plane descending with both wings "folded up," which security video also showed.

Authorities located the left horizontal stabilizer and left elevator between 700 and 800 feet southwest of the accident site, the preliminary report states. A 6-inch section of the main wing spar upper cap splice was also found about 300 feet southwest of the crash site.

Investigators say the final crash report could take 12 to 18 months to complete.