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Preliminary answers on Dayton Air Show crash could come this week

Federal officials investigating Saturday’s plane crash at the Dayton Air Show say it may take up to a year before the cause of the crash can be determined.

An initial coroner’s report say that 44-year-old wing-walker Jane Wicker and the plane’s pilot, 64-year-old Charlie Schwenker, died of blunt force trauma.

The National Transportation Safety Board expects to release an initial report later this week. The NTSB is also requesting anyone with video or pictures of the crash to submit them to air show officials to help with the investigation.

Air show spokeswoman Brenda Kerfoot says while attendance was down in general, the crash didn't deter people on Sunday.

"I've heard many comments from families, etc, that said they wanted to leave on a positive note," she says. "Especially if they have children, they wanted them to know that this is a family event - that it's not normal what happened on Saturday."

Multiple Internet videos show the duo’s 450 HP Stearman biplane flying low and upside down before it turned and plunged to the ground, exploding into flames before thousands of spectators.
 

Jerry Kenney was introduced to WYSO by a friend and within a year of first tuning in became an avid listener and supporter. He began volunteering at the station in 1991 and began hosting Alpha Rhythms in February of 1992. Jerry joined the WYSO staff in 2007 as a host of All Things Considered and soon transitioned into hosting Morning Edition. In addition to now hosting All Things Considered, Jerry is the host and producer of WYSO Weekend, WYSO's weekly news and arts magazine. He has also produced several radio dramas for WYSO in collaboration with local theater companies. Jerry has won several Ohio AP awards as well as an award from PRINDI for his work with the WYSO news department. Jerry says that the best part of his job is being able to talk to people in the community and share their experiences with WYSO listeners.
Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.