The term "gag order" doesn't really fit here. What there is, is a normal process that takes place confidentially, until the NTSB publishes a factual report, and then holds a hearing of the full Board. Only the Board can make a determination of probable cause. (Although they will generally be steered to a conclusion by the Board's professional staff and investigators -- the Board consists of political appointees and if they know anything about safety it's an unexpected bonus).
Once the Board has made its determination, you will be able to get the whole investigation docket, minus certain elements that are withheld under privacy laws, with a FOIA request. Actually, they normally have you go to a third party that will sell you the docket on CD these days. (It is normal to be charged for FOIA research and reproduction).
The NTSB and FAA do not investigate general aviation accidents as thoroughly as air carrier accidents, and among GA accidents, they give the least investigation to experimentals.
Finally, to investigate anything, you need something to investigate. One reason that they didn't take a lot of care with the wreckage of Terry's gyro, I think, is that there was, in all frankness, so little of it left. The machine hit hard and then burned.
NTSB does have some evidence. They have whatever could be teased out of the wreckage. And they have a credible eyewitness statement. This is better than what they sometimes get.
The remainder of the wreckage has been carefully inspected.
This is a very disturbing accident. The pilot in command was an instructor known for his integrity and ability. There was another competent, if not very experienced, pilot on board, so incapacitation seems unlikely (for most causes of incapacitation, an autopsy would be dispositive, anyway).
The machine was one that was designed from the outset with safety as its primary market differentiator. It was one of very few experimental gyros to be subjected to analysis and testing by degreed aeronautical engineers and qualified experimental test pilots and flight test engineers.
So it's very puzzling, and going a long time without hearing diddly is frustrating as hell.
I don't think anything we can do will make the investigation go any faster, and I'm quite certain that nothing we do will get the Board to release significant information before it is ready to do so. When they complete work on any part of the wreckage they have retained, they are supposed to turn it over to the owner, insurer, or owner's survivors. I suspect that the wrecking yard was some local sheriff's call, he just had it hauled to where he sends junk cars.
Hang in there, Steve. Let's give these folks the benefit of the doubt until they complete their task. I didn't know Terry as well as you, but I think that's what he would have done.
cheers
-=K=-
