Federal investigators to begin collecting evidence from fatal plane crash in Waukesha

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58)-- The National Transportation Board (NTSB) is expected to begin collecting evidence and information at the site of Tuesday's fatal plane crash in Waukesha. 

A commercial pilot and certified flight instructor, Robert Katz, compares what could have happened on board Randy Reimer's plane to what happened on Kobe Bryant's helicopter when it crashed in 2020.

"The pilot became disoriented, just like Kobe Bryant's pilot did, and the result is to be expected," Katz said.

Using resources like Flight Aware and LiveATC, Katz pieced together what he believes are the moments on board leading up to the crash. He said the weather conditions required a special clearance to fly.

"It is exceptionally dangerous, because that pilot can find himself swallowed by the clouds at any moment with no hope of escape, and that's what I believe happened yesterday," Katz said.

A recording capturing Reimer's last moments talking to the control tower tells us the pilot was trying to gain altitude.

"I hope to get above the clouds," Reimer said to the control tower.

Seconds later, Reimer is heard yelling an inaudible message into the microphone for the last time.

"The one who determines if the weather is sufficient is the pilot himself," Katz said.

Katz said what happened in Waukesha, and in San Diego the day before, happens frequently.

"The reason these things keep happening is because pilots are refusing to learn from the mistake of others and their own past experiences," Katz said.

He tells CBS 58 more education is a solution to tragedies like this one.

"That's the only thing that can protect a pilot from himself," Katz said.

It can take up to 18 months for NTSB's official cause of crash report to be released.