Autopsy on Pilot Could Reveal What Led Up to Fatal Butte Plane Crash

Autopsy on Pilot Could Reveal What Led Up to Fatal Butte Plane Crash

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By KFBB News Team

Story Published: Mar 25, 2009 at 10:28 AM MST

Story Updated: Mar 25, 2009 at 7:42 PM MST

BUTTE, Mont. - Authorities investigating a plane crash that killed 14 say an autopsy on the pilot's body could reveal whether a medical emergency was at fault in the still-unsolved accident.

However, Butte-Silver Bow County Coroner Lee LeBreche cautioned that a complete autopsy may be impossible because of the violent nature of the crash.

The plane carrying three families to a Montana ski vacation diverted from its original destination of Bozeman, Mont., for unknown reasons Sunday afternoon. A half-hour later witnesses saw it nosedive into a cemetery near the Butte airport.

LeBreche says he is nearing positive identification of the victims, including seven children from three families.

The wreckage from the 10-seat Pilatus PC-12 has been moved to a hangar in Bozeman.

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