HOWLAND  The National Transportation Safety Board has issued a preliminary report detailing minute-by-minute what led up to the June 29 plane crash in Howland Township that killed all six people aboard a Cessna 441 aircraft.

The report provides initial details on the flight, which departed from Youngstown/Warren Regional Airport on route to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana.

According to the report, the Cessna 441, tail number N441LS, was destroyed around 6:54 a.m. The airline transport pilot and five passengers were fatally injured in the personal flight.

Federal Aviation Administration communications indicate the pilot received and read back an instrument flight rules clearance and taxi instructions before being cleared for takeoff from runway 32 at around 6:51 a.m.

Security camera video from the airport captured the airplane's sound increasing around 6:52 a.m. and showed the aircraft rotating approximately 4,400 to 4,500 feet down the 9,003-foot runway. The plane then climbed to an estimated 100 feet above ground level before leveling off and continuing along the runway heading until it was no longer visible.

FAA Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data showed the aircraft gained only about 100 feet of altitude during the entire flight, maintaining a consistent low altitude. Another security camera from a farm near the accident site depicted the plane flying low in a nearly nose-level and wings-level attitude for about seven seconds before disappearing behind trees.

Witnesses located about 1.5 miles northwest of the crash site reported hearing a noticeable pitch change in the engine sound after takeoff, describing it as "roaring." They stated the airplane never appeared above the tree line before they heard trees breaking, followed by a loud explosion, and saw smoke. Video from the Youngstown Air Reserve Station also captured the post-crash fire's smoke.

The aircraft ran into trees in a heavily wooded area, which separated a major portion of the left wing. The wreckage, including the fuselage, inboard section of the left wing, right wing, and tail section, came to rest inverted. The cockpit, cabin, right wing, and the separated part of the left wing sustained heavy fire damage.

Investigators retained the Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System for readout by the manufacturer. The device provides pilots with timely information about possible ground or obstacle collisions.

Other parts from the wreckage are being examined by NTSB Materials Laboratory. Both engines and propellers were also retained for further examination by their respective manufacturers under NTSB oversight.

The Trumbull County Coroner previously identified the victims as pilot Joseph Maxin, 63; co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55; and passengers Veronica Weller, 68; James Weller II, 67; John Weller, 36; and Maria Weller, 34. The Weller family owns Liberty Steel in Warren.

Howland Township Fire Chief Raymond Pace described the crash as the deadliest in the area's history. First responders encountered difficulties accessing the site due to the dense woods.

A longtime commercial pilot and flight instructor based in Dallas is weighing in on the preliminary findings. Robert Katz, who has more than 40 years of experience in aviation, is not affiliated with the investigation but offered his opinion based on the public data released so far.

The NTSB said a review of barometric altitude data from the Cessna 441 that crashed in late June "revealed only about 100 feet of altitude gain during the entire flight."

Katz said that one line stands out above all.

"So the one detail that is of any value here is when we see that the airplane gained only 100 feet for the entire flight," Katz said, "The question is, why did it gain only 100 feet?" 

He believes the crash may have been the result of an engine failure coupled with improper weight distribution: two factors that can become especially dangerous during takeoff.

"I believe it is due to one of two factors, if not both," he said, "The airplane is always capable of flying on one engine, unless it is overweight and the weight is distributed incorrectly, which will only aggravate the control of the airplane, which is also a possibility in this case." 

Katz says improper loading can seriously impact aircraft performance.

"If the weight is distributed incorrectly, such as being overloaded in the tail, it’s going to be very difficult to control the airplane," he said.

The NTSB has not confirmed any mechanical or weight-related causes. Katz emphasized that the final findings are still far off.

"The most significant factor in getting to a final report is the analysis of the engines," he said, "The engines go back to the manufacturer who has the facilities and the expertise to assess all the component parts... Was there any malfunction? This is all done under the supervision of NTSB, but because there are so many other incidents that have happened prior to this, it just gets in the queue, and it takes time to get to."

All findings are subject to change as the NTSB’s investigation continues. A final report is expected in about two years.

The NTSB's preliminary findings are subject to change as the investigation continues.

The preliminary report may be read below: