NTSB: Columbia Plane Burning Before It Stopped

The National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report says a jet was already on fire, before coming to a stop on an embankment, in the preliminary report.

Four people died, while two music stars survived the crash on takeoff.

Two passengers and both pilots died when the plane went off the runway, onto a road, into a fence and caught fire late in the evening of September 19.

The NTSB preliminary report says tire debris and portions of airplane components were found along the 8,600 foot runway. The report adds the Learjet was on fire before it crossed a road and ran into an embankment.

Former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and celebrity disc jockey Adam Goldstein - known as DJ AM - have been released from the Augusta Burn Center.

Witnesses and initial information show the beginning of the takeoff roll appeared normal, then sparks were observed as the airplane traveled along the runway.

Here is the full narrative of the report from the NTSB:

Accident occurred Friday, September 19, 2008 in Columbia, SC
Aircraft: Learjet LR60, registration: N999LJ
Injuries: 4 Fatal, 2 Serious.

Tire debris and portions of airplane components were found along the 8,600 foot runway. According to witnesses and initial information, the beginning of the takeoff roll appeared normal, then sparks were observed as the airplane traveled along the runway. The airplane continued beyond the runway threshold, through the approximately 1,000 foot runway safety area and impacted airport lighting, navigation facilities, perimeter fence and concrete marker posts. The airplane then crossed a roadway, and came to rest on an embankment on the far side of the road. The fire began on the airport side of the roadway.