A cockpit voice recorder is providing some details on the Massachusetts plane crash that killed Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner Lewis Katz and six others.
One pilot repeated "lock is on" followed by "I can't stop it" and "oh no no" as the aircraft sped toward the end of the runway at Hanscom Field on May 31, 2014. It then crashed and burst into flames.
The transcript of the recorder was among hundreds of pages of documents released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The final two minutes of the cockpit conversation picks up after the Gulstream IV was cleared for takeoff:
21:38:33.9 P-I-C (Pilot-in-command) we're cleared for takeoff?
21:38:34.8 S-I-C (Second-in-command) cleared for takeoff right turn heading two five zero.
21:38:37.2 P-I-C 'kay.
21:39:05.9 [sound similar to power increase]
21:39:21.1 P-I-C it says rudder limit light is on.
21:39:23.9 S-I-C what's that?
21:39:24.7 P-I-C the rudder limit light is on.
21:39:26.4 S-I-C are you using your rudders?
21:39:27.8 (unclear who is talking) no * *.
21:39:31.1 (unclear who is talking) huh.
21:39:33.7 [sound similar to power increasing further]
21:39:45.5 [sound similar to ground roll]
21:39:45.7 (unclear who is talking) *.
21:39:46.6 P-I-C couldn't get * * * *.
21:39:51.3 S-I-C eighty.
21:39:57.5 S-I-C V-1.
21:39:58.9 S-I-C rotate.
21:39:59.9 P-I-C (steer) lock is on.
21:40:02.7 P-I-C (steer) lock is on.
21:40:03.7 P-I-C (steer) lock is on.
21:40:04.4 P-I-C (steer) lock is on.
21:40:05.2 [sounds similar to thump and squeak]
21:40:06.6 P-I-C (steer) lock is on.
21:40:07.5 P-I-C (steer) lock is on.
21:40:12.6 P-I-C (steer) lock is on.
21:40:14.3 P-I-C I can't stop it.
21:40:16.2 HOT [sound of triple chime].
21:40:19.6 P-I-C oh no no.
21:40:21.0 [sound of impact].
In their factual report, NTSB investigators included a picture of the cockpit voice recorder, showing heat damage to the exterior. However, the memory board that's kept inside the crash-protected case was intact.
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A preliminary NTSB report in June indicated a possible problem with the gust lock system, which protects parked planes from wind damage. It also suggested the two pilots didn't perform a preflight check.
Katz was a philanthropist and businessman who once co-owned the New Jersey Nets and New Jersey Devils.
