Nearly two years after a small airplane crash in Cambria County claimed the lives of two local residents, the National Transportation Safety Board has concluded their investigation, ruling the June 17, 2023, crash was caused by the pilot experiencing “spatial disorientation.”

The Piper PA-30 was destroyed in the crash that killed avid outdoorsmen and lifelong friends Donny Cox, 54, of Nanty Glo and Mark Vincent LaMantia, 54, of Ebensburg.

The pair were taking a day trip to ride bikes in Ocean City, Maryland, the day of the accident, LaMantia’s sister Jean LaMantia told the Mirror at the time.

There were no eyewitnesses to the crash. Through its investigation, the NTSB interviewed a local resident who reported some fog in the area that morning.

The pilot took off from the Ebensburg Airport before sunrise, at 5:06 a.m., according to the report. Tracking data show the airplane entered a climbing, left turn after takeoff, reaching an altitude of about 1,500 feet and remained in the left turn for about 360 degrees.

“An examination of tree strikes at the accident site revealed that the airplane was at a left bank angle of about 55 degrees and a descent angle of about 30 degrees at impact,” the report states. “The airplane impacted trees and terrain about two miles south of the departure airport. The wreckage was highly fragmented, indicative of a high-energy impact with the ground.”

The investigation did not turn up any mechanical problems with the airplane.

“Based on the weather conditions, the dark lighting conditions and the wreckage distribution, which was consistent with a high speed impact, it is likely that the pilot experienced spatial disorientation and lost airplane control after taking off,” the NTSB analysis stated.

Spatial disorientation is defined as a “loss of proper bearings; state of mental confusion as to position, location, or movement relative to the position of the earth,” the report explains, citing an FAA publication.