Canadian Air Officials Mediate Virginia Crash Investigation

Collision involved domestic FAA, NTSB employees

An investigation of the Fauquier County mid-air plane crash that killed two people Monday has been turned over to Canadian authorities after an initial report showed that the planes were associated with U.S. aviation regulator employees.

The planes involved were a six-seat Beechcraft BE-35, which was registered to a National Transportation Safety Board employee, and a Piper PA-28, which was owned and operated by a Federal Aviation Administration employee. 

The Beechcraft caught fire when it hit the ground, killing the pilot and passenger. It's unclear who owned the aircraft, according to NBC4. The pilot of the Piper plane, Thomas R. Provin, 70, of Broad Run, VA, was taken to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA. Provin, an accident investigator, was flying during his personal time, according to the FAA. There has been no update on his condition. 

To avoid a conflict of interest, both agencies agreed to have the Transportation Safety Board of Canada carry out the investigation.

This accident hits especially close to home, with the involvement of an NTSB employee, said Chairman Deborah Hersman in a news release Tuesday afternoon: "I'm grateful to TSB-Canada Chair Wendy Tadros for agreeing to conduct the investigation and the NTSB stands ready to support and assist them in any way we can."