Dashcam video gives new insight into plane that crashed on I-285

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has obtained new video of a deadly plane crash that ended in a fiery wreck on Interstate 285.
 
The wreck killed four people.
 
The video from the Chamblee Police Department shows the plane disappearing below the horizon and then a large plume of smoke emerges from the interstate.
 
Moments later, the officer drives up to the crash and the video shows the plane engulfed in flames.
 
The victims were identified as Christopher, Phillip and Greg Byrd, and Jackie Kulzer.

The pilot, Greg Byrd, was a retired Buncombe County, North Carolina, deputy, and father of Phillip and Christopher.
 
Christopher and Jackie were engaged. Jackie is a graduate of St. Pius X Catholic High School in Atlanta.
 
The National Transportation Safety Board released its first report on the plane crash earlier this week.
 
The preliminary report shows the pilot radioed air traffic controllers to say he was struggling to gain altitude, authorities said.
 
"Ground control instructed the pilot to taxi for runway 3R, via bravo, hold short 3L, and the pilot read back the instructions correctly," the report says. "The pilot then contacted the tower controller informing them that he was holding short 3L and ready. The tower controller instructed the pilot to 'fly heading 360 and cleared for takeoff.' The pilot then questioned the controller regarding which runway to take off from and the controller cleared the pilot for takeoff from runway 3L. Approximately two minutes after departure, the tower controller called the pilot to verify heading. The pilot responded 'zero-two-victor, I'm having some problem climbing here.' Followed by 'zero-two-victor, we're going down here at the intersection.' This was the last transmission made by the pilot."

• READ FULL REPORT HERE

The report does not give an official cause for the crash. A final report is not expected for several months.

WSBTV