(Pembroke, N.Y.) – Hours after the NTSB announced it would not be traveling to the site of the plane crash that killed attorney Steve Barnes and his niece, Elizabeth, lawmakers are demanding they do.
The request is receiving pushback from officials in Genesee County, who say they are already so far into the investigation that it is not necessary at this point.
On Saturday, representatives Brian Higgins and Chris Jacobs issued a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration and the NTSB asking for a full investigation.
In a news conference Sunday, the Genesee County Sheriff and county coroner announced they located human remains to further confirm the victims’ identities.
“We’re confident at this time the individuals on the plane were Stephen and Elizabeth,” said Sheriff William Sheron.
Officials say much of the aircraft in the surrounding area has been recovered and will be shipped to Tennessee for further investigation by the NTSB.
Steve Barnes was heading from New Hampshire to Buffalo Friday morning when air traffic controllers lost contact and the plane dropped 17,000 feet in four minutes.
In response to the NTSB’s in-person efforts in the investigation, county coroner Jeffrey McIntire says the F.A.A. has taken over as lead investigators in the case.
“I’m not trying to lessen anyone’s job by any means, but my point is the investigation would not change whatsoever if the NTSB was actually on site,” said McIntire.
The agency said it would still investigate, but would not respond to the crash scene due to COVID-19 concerns.
Officials say while the investigation will take time to complete, they’re focused on finding closure.
“I think with any fatality, it obviously hits home differently for some people than others. Honestly, I’m just here trying to make sure the Barnes family gets the closure they need,” said McIntire.
The Genesee County Sheriff says the investigation could take up to one year to come to conclusion.
Sheriff Sheron says the department expects to have an update in the coming days.
–13wham