ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (CVILLERIGHTNOW) – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report on the small plane that crashed in a wooded area off Monacan Drive East in January, confirming that the pilot reported a total loss of engine power before the accident.

According to the report, at 12:30 p.m., the pilot of the Beech V35B aircraft, registered as N2UZ, contacted Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport (CHO) air traffic control and declared an emergency, stating that the plane was “10 miles south of the airport, at 5,500 ft mean sea level, and had experienced a total loss of engine power.” The controller offered runway 3 for landing, but at 12:33 p.m., the pilot reported being “3 to 4 miles south of the airport” and said he would try to land in a field. His last transmission was to say he was trying to land near a river.

The NTSB report said that the aircraft “overflew the field and collided with trees at the end.” A debris path extended approximately 175 feet, with sections of the wings and landing gear found along the crash site. The main wreckage was discovered inverted and consumed by a post-crash fire.

Investigators also found that the engine’s oil sump only had residual oil left in it, and a crack was found in the engine case near the camshaft gear. The report notes, “multiple metal fragments [were found] near a crankshaft counterweight,” as well as in the oil sump and oil filter element.

The flight had taken off from Rockingham, N.C., and was headed to Westminster, Md.