LUBBOCK, Texas -
Wind and ice accumulation likely caused the plane crash that killed Dr. Mike Rice in Lubbock last February, according to a newly-released National Transportation Safety Board report.
Rice was approaching Lubbock International Airport when air traffic controllers canceled his clearance to provide spacing between a preceding aircraft, according to the probable cause NTSB report. Rice's aircraft made a left turn, climbing from 5,600 to 5,800 feet, when his aircraft began to descend rapidly, disappearing from the radar.
The aircraft hit a television guy wire, power lines and came to rest in an open field 800 feet from the tower, according to the report.
The report states weather conditions at the airport were conducive to the accumulation of structural icing, which would have affected Rice's ability to control the plane. Wind gusts of up to 31 knots the night of Feb. 4, 2015 also could have contributed to the loss of control of the aircraft.
A witness in the parking lot near the television tower says he heard the airplane accident and saw a large flash of light, then saw the tower collapse, according to the report.
