October 29, 2002

Wellstone crash probe could last for months

By The Associated Press

EVELETH, Minn. - The chief federal investigator into the plane crash that killed Sen. Paul Wellstone said Monday that extensive damage to the aircraft has blocked any quick answer into whether de-icing equipment was operating properly.

The National Transportation Safety Board is trying to determine why the twin-engine aircraft crashed and burned Friday morning about 2 1/2 miles from the Eveleth-Virginia Municipal Airport. One question is whether ice built up on the plane, which would have affected flight.

The NTSB's Frank Hilldrup said Monday that the agency learned that one pilot who departed from the airport about 50 minutes after the crash reported slight icing after his plane entered cloud cover at about 1,000 feet.

At the airport, local pilots expressed doubt.

"There was little ice. It was normal. We see it all the time," said Don Sipola, a flight instructor with 25 years experience.

NTSB officials have said the investigation could take months; Hilldrup said investigators plan to stay in Eveleth another couple of days or so.

The crash killed Wellstone and his wife, Sheila, both 58; their daughter, Marcia Markuson, 33; and three campaign staffers and two pilots. The Wellstones were on their way to a funeral.

Hilldrup said the plane's landing gear appeared to have been down and its flaps lowered properly. He said investigators were doing routine checks on how the pilots spent their time before the flight, but weren't aware of anything of concern.

During a brief Senate session in Washington, Wellstone was eulogized by lawmakers as an uncommon advocate for the common man.

The somber 40-minute remembrance, held while most senators were away from Washington, was a prelude to a Wellstone memorial today in Minnesota.

A private family funeral was held in Minneapolis on Monday.

Related:

Mondale may be formidable foe

Editorial: The Wellstone tradition: Mondale would be fitting replacement on ticket