Lewis Katz

It was a tragedy that could have been avoided. That's the verdict handed down by National Transportation Safety Board investigators who say a Massachusetts plane crash last year that killed Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner Lewis Katz and six others was the result of pilot error.

A NTSB report concluded that the crash could have been avoided if the pilots performed all the required pre-flight checks. Specifically, the pilots mistakenly kept the so-called "gust-lock system" engaged. It basically keeps the plane parked. Because it was still locked, the plane couldn't take off and ended up crashing into a ravine, then burst into flames.

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