39°
"In light of that information and in accordance with established procedures the NTSB is in the process of transferring the lead for the investigation from NTSB to the FBI," the statement said.
"The NTSB stands ready to support the FBI’s investigation should a request be made for agency expertise."
The unnamed instructor who survived also told investigators the crash was not an accident, according to Fox News. He is in critical condition at Bridgeport Hospital.
The student pilot, Feras M. Freitekh, and the instructor were arguing before the twin-engine Piper PA-34 Seneca crashed near Pratt & Whitney, with Freitekh saying he did not want to fly the plane any longer, the Hartford Courant reported.
Freitekh starting flying the plane erratically and the instructor fought to gain control before the crash, another source told the Courant.
An initial search of Freitekh's apartment found no signs of terrorism, the Courant added.
CBS News reported that Freitekh first entered the U.S. in 2012 on a temporary student M1 visa for flight school. At some point it was changed to an F1 visa, which he used to attend language school, according to CBS News.
The plane hit a utility pole and wires in East Hartford at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday, exploding into a fireball as it approached Brainard Airport in Hartford.
Click here to read the Fox News story, click here to read the CBS News story and click here to read the Hartford Courant story.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bridgeport and receive free news updates.
