NTSB To Investigate West Deer Plane Crash

WEST DEER (KDKA) -- An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board said he's confident officials will be able to determine why a small plane went off the runway and crashed in West Deer.

Four people, including two 13-year-old students from Huston Middle School in Lower Burrell, were injured when the accident happened at Rock Airport.

"I think we'll be able to capture enough data to figure this one out and the airplane may be equipped with newer generation technologies that may have stored data in them," Brian Rayner, an NTSB official, said.

Two boys remain hospitalized at Allegheny General Hospital. The pilot remains at UPMC Presby. The science teacher was treated and released from AGH.

Rayner said investigators talked to a few witnesses who say the plane left the ground for a short period, perhaps getting 6-feet off the ground before going over the hillside.

"Anytime you have four survivors out of four occupants, it's a good outcome," Rayner said.

Featured Local Savings

More from CBS News

One person injured in late-night Homewood motorcycle crash

Attractions like the Pittsburgh Zoo and Carnegie Science Center will offer free admission days this summer

2 Kiski Area Intermediate students brought multiple small knives to school

Operator of Pittsburgh-area casino fined $10,000 for letting in gambler on self-exclusion list