The FBI is investigating an aircraft crash across from the main entrance of a Pratt & Whitney engine factory in East Hartford, Connecticut.

An initial investigation of the 11 October crash by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) “indicates the crash is the result of an intentional act”, the board says in a statement.

“In light of that information and in accordance with established procedures the NTSB is in the process of transferring the lead for the investigation from NTSB to the FBI,” the NTSB says.

The crash involved a Piper PA-34-200 Seneca light-twin.

P&W “is assisting authorities as needed”, the company tells FlightGlobal.

Local police officials said during a 12 October news conference that authorities have not ruled out an accident as a cause of the crash, which killed the pilot, according to local news conference. A passenger survived the crash.

The main entrance to the P&W factory lies just northwest of the final approach flight path to Hartford Brainard airport, which supports general aviation and business jets.