HOOKSETT, N.H. (AP) -- A preliminary accident report of a New Hampshire plane crash that killed a Rhode Island couple says the pilot appeared to be in good spirits shortly before the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report in the Oct. 25 accident on Interstate 93 in Hooksett. Herman and Doris Hassinger, both 83 and from Block Island, died.
Herman Hassinger took off from Block Island State Airport and landed at Boire Field in Nashua to clean the airplane's windscreen before departing for Laconia.
Shortly after takeoff, Hassinger contacted the Boston terminal radar approach control facility. Ten minutes later, he made a 180-degree turn. Air traffic control tried to contact Hassinger several times, but there was no response.
An examination of the plane afterward showed the landing gear wasn't down.