NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Fatal May 5 Plane Crash Near Polk
POLK, Ohio – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary findings into the May 5 crash of an amateur-built FFF LLC Express 2000 FT airplane that went down near Polk, killing the pilot.
The report, issued as part of the NTSB’s ongoing investigation, reveals that the aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions as it neared the Ashland County Airport. Radar data and communications logs indicate the airplane became erratic while flying through an area consistent with heavy precipitation and thunderstorms.
A Cleveland radar controller attempted to contact the aircraft on multiple frequencies, but received no response. Eventually, the local controller at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport (MFD) established communication with the pilot, who reported experiencing a “rough ride” and difficulty maintaining control of the aircraft. At that time, the plane was at 3,800 feet and the pilot said he was attempting to land at Ashland County Airport (3G4).
Shortly after suggesting the pilot fly southbound, the Mansfield controller lost contact with the aircraft. Radar contact was lost as the airplane descended to 2,600 feet. Later, the wreckage was discovered in a wooded area about 3.3 nautical miles northeast of the airport, near a farmer’s field.
Investigators found that the airplane struck a tree limb and crashed into the ground in a roughly 15-degree nose-down, right-bank attitude. The wreckage showed no signs of in-flight fire, explosion, or structural failure. All flight control surfaces—including the ailerons, elevator, and rudder—were still attached to their mounts, and the wing flaps were found in the up position.
The impact had scattered major portions of the aircraft. The engine had separated from its mounts and was buried about three feet below the surface. The propeller was also detached and found canted to the right. Fuel tank caps were in place, but both tanks were ruptured. The smell of aviation gasoline was present at the site.
Instrumentation showed the throttle was at full power, the propeller control was set to “HIGH RPM,” and the mixture control was slightly lean of rich. The fuel selector was set to the right tank.
At the time of the crash, hazardous weather was affecting the region. A severe thunderstorm warning was active, with the area experiencing rain, mist, and winds gusting up to 40 knots. The Wayne County Airport (KBJJ) weather station—about 15 nautical miles from the crash site—reported a thunderstorm began at 7:08 p.m., with 0.86 inches of rainfall in just over an hour. A Convective SIGMET issued earlier that evening warned of severe thunderstorms with hail up to 1.5 inches and wind gusts to 60 knots in the region.
FAA records show the aircraft received its special airworthiness certificate in June 2017. The latest condition inspection had been completed in September 2024, with the aircraft having logged approximately 347 flight hours and the engine 467 hours.
The pilot, Gary Wolfelt, 72, Wolfelt from West Lafayette, Indiana, held a private pilot certificate with ratings for single-engine land and rotorcraft-helicopter. He did not have an instrument rating, which would have permitted flight in poor weather. He had logged approximately 622 flight hours, including about 412 hours in the same make and model as the crashed airplane. His most recent FAA BasicMed medical clearance was completed in July 2022.
The wreckage has been retained for further analysis. The NTSB will issue a final report in the coming months, which will include the probable cause of the crash.
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