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NTSB Begins Probe Into Plane Crash That Killed Pastor, Son

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A staff report

Published: May 15, 2008

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  Forrest Pollock

  Preston Pollock

TAMPA -- Federal investigators today issued preliminary findings into the crash of a single-engine Piper into a North Carolina mountain on Monday killing the pastor of the Bell Shoals Baptist Church and his son.

The plane crashed on a mountainside some 4,700 feet above sea level, said National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Peter Knudson. The entire plane was found in one spot, indicating to investigators that the plane was intact when it hit the ground, killing the Rev. Forrest Pollock and his 13-year-old son, Preston.

"The investigator went to the plane wreckage site yesterday," he said. He found the aircraft in one compact location, Knudson said.

The crash site was in a heavily wooded, steeply graded area, he said, and the wreckage will have to be pulled out by helicopter.

From there, the wreckage will be transported to Atlanta, where the NTSB investigator will continue the investigation to determine just what caused the plane to plummet.

The investigation will include recorded radio transmissions and examinations of the weather in the area during the time of the crash, Knudson said.

Donald Jason, the forensic pathologist with Wake Forest University's School of Medicine said the autopsies took about two hours to complete and preliminary conclusions were that Pollock and his son died of multiple injuries sustained in the crash.

Pollock was positively identified through dental records. His son was identified visually, Jason said.

The deaths have shaken the church, located in Brandon. Thousands turned out for a prayer meeting Wednesday night. Pollock is survived by his wife and five children.

A service was set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, 2102 Bell Shoals Road, Brandon. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m., according to the church's Web site.

A reception will follow the services. Burial will be on Tuesday in Oklahoma City, Okla.

A staff report

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