The initial report on the crash that killed fishing tour operator and seaplane pilot Theophile Bourgeois III is now public.
Though not the last word, the preliminary report from National Transportation Safety Board says worsening weather is likely to blame for the accident.
The report says Bourgeois took off during a break in a heavy rainstorm over Chandeleur Sound bound for Barataria.
A pilot flying a second seaplane was about two miles behind Bourgeois said more heavy rain was falling when he lost radio contact with Bourgeois.
According to a Times-Picayune/Advocate story the passengers aboard Bourgeois' plane stated they were flying beneath low clouds when the plane crashed.
Satellite imagery showed significant thunderstorm activity in the immediate area of the crash.
The passengers survived the crash, Bourgeois was killed.





