WASHINGTON U.S. investigators probing the plane crash that killed John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife and sister-in-law almost two weeks ago have found no sign of mechanical failure, the Boston Globe reported Wednesday. An unnamed source warned, however, that it would be "premature and irresponsible" to shift the focus of the investigation to possible pilot error. Kennedy was piloting the Piper Saratoga when it dived off the coast of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts on July 16, instantly killing him, his wife Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and her sister Lauren Bessette. The plane's 300-horsepower engine is still being dismantled by the manufacturer, Textron Lycoming, under the supervision of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Globe said.

However, preliminary results indicated it was functioning well when the Saratoga nosedived into the water, according to the daily. Investigators have yet to examine the plane's electrical system and navigational equipment, which could take weeks, an unnamed source told the Globe. Radar tapes showing that Kennedy had twice veered off course and the fact that the novice pilot obtained his flying license only 15 months prior to the crash have raised speculations that human error had caused the fatal accident.

(AFP)