Sunlight Contributed To Fatal Falmouth Plane Crash: NTSB Report

FALMOUTH, MA — Sunlight is likely to blame in the death of a Falmouth pilot earlier this month, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Carl Willis, 83, of Falmouth, was piloting the plane while returning from Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport with one passenger on Dec. 2.

According to the NTSB report, the passenger in the plane was a 70-year-old commercial pilot, who spoke with investigators from the safety board, sharing that the sun likely played a part in the crash at Falmouth Airpark.

WHDH reports that the commercial pilot asked if the sun was in Willis' eyes as they approached the runway, to which he confirmed it was. She adjusted her sun visor, but quickly realized they were headed toward several trees.

The report states that no one involved believes that any engine problems happened during the landing in Falmouth.

Read more: Falmouth Man Dead In Crash At Local Airpark