JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Conversation between the air traffic controller and Boeing 737 pilot leading up to the plane crash in the St. Johns River May 3 has been released by NTSB.
Around 9:23 p.m., the air traffic controller advised the pilot of the wind speed. The pilot asked if there was any chance to get to runway 10, but said he would stick with runway 28 for now.
Upon descension, the controller called the "KNIP" tower and asked if runway 10 or 28 looked better out their window. The KNIP tower controller advised them that both runways looked "pretty rough," and "pretty socked in." The air traffic controller then advised the pilot that both runways looked "pretty bad." He also advised the pilot of the moderate-to-heavy rainfall.
At 9:30 p.m., the air traffic controller asked the pilot if he would like to try runway 10 since it might be better. The pilot acknowledged saying, "yeah go ahead, let's do it." Twelve minutes later the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was heard on the frequency.
The report says the plane hit a rock embankment at the end of runway ten before coming to rest in the St. Johns River, about 1,200 feet from the end of the runway.
NTSB says FAA records indicate that the pilot was fully qualified to operate the aircraft.