(06/21/06) MANAHAWKIN ? The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report that may explain the cause of a small plane crash in Manahawkin.

Pilot Ron Ziv?s plane crashed May 31 en route to Atlantic City . Ziv, his wife and another couple were all killed in the crash. The day was cloudy and hazy near the shore, and experts believe that may have played a significant role based on Ziv?s pilot rating. Ziv was a certified pilot, but he wasn?t instrument rated.

The owner of a flight school in Wall says a pilot?s eyes may not tell the whole story in bad weather. That?s where help from instruments can play a crucial role. The owner speculates Ziv may not have realized he was flying too low until it was too late. When he pulled up, the wings may have bent and the tail may have broken. The new report is only preliminary, and will likely take up to a year to complete.

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