NTSB Releases Preliminary Report On Westchester Plane Crash

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Federal investigators have shed some light on last month's tragic plane crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report on the crash of a single engine plane as it attempted to reach Westchester County Airport to make an emergency landing just minutes after departing JFK bound for an airport near Cleveland.

Investigators appear to be focusing on evidence of engine damage. The report notes, "a hole in the top of the crankcase in-line with the No. 6 cylinder position." An inspector also reported that a "deformed connecting rod cap with two fractured and entrapped connecting rod bolts was found inside the engine adjacent to the hole."

The pilot of the Beech A36 told controllers that the small plane was experiencing "dead cylinder" and radioed that the aircraft was losing oil pressure, just moments before declaring, "mayday, mayday, mayday, mayday" and disappearing from radar.

SEE ALSO:

• Chilling Cockpit Audio Of Final Moments Before Westchester Plane Crash
• Pilot, Passenger ID'd In Fatal Westchester County Airport Crash
• The Latest On Westchester Plane Crash Investigation, Wreckage Removal

An initial inspection of the wreck found fresh oil on the bottom of the fuselage beginning just aft of the wing root and extending to the tail cone. In addition, fresh oil was evident at the outlet of the lower crankcase breather line, according to the NTSB report.

The plane was just one mile from the runway at Westchester County Airport when it crashed into a heavily wooded area near Rye Lake. The plane first hit a tree about 100ft above the ground and then hit several other trees before coming to rest about 250ft away, according to the NTSB report.