NTSB: No Sign of Malfunction in Accident That Killed Blue Origin Astronaut

Glen de Vries and his instructor died a week after de Vries traveled to space with actor William Shatner.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, December 06, 2021 at 03:51 PM ET

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In addition to a software executive, Glenn de Vries was a Blue Origin astronaut. Courtesy: Blue Origin

Key Takeaways:

Software executive and astronaut Glen de Vries and flight instructor Thomas Fischer died in a Cessna 172S Skyhawk crash near Branchville, New Jersey, on November 11, 2021.
The NTSB's preliminary report found no obvious sign of a mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal aircraft operation, and all major components of the airplane were located.
Flight data indicates the aircraft climbed to 6,400 feet before entering a steep, descending left turn until radar contact was lost.
The NTSB investigation is ongoing, with the probable cause expected to be determined in 12 to 18 months.

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The NTSB’s preliminary report on the accident that took the life of software executive turned astronaut Glen de Vries says there was no obvious sign of a mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal aircraft operation.

De Vries and his flight instructor, Thomas Fischer, the founder and chief instructor at Fischer Aviation, died on November 11, 2021, when the Cessna 172S Skyhawk they were flying crashed near Branchville, New Jersey. A week earlier de Vries made the trip to space aboard a Blue Origin rocket alongside actor William Shatner.