LAKEWOOD – A malfunctioning engine likely led to the banner plane crash Aug. 4.

The National Transportation Safety Board published its preliminary report on the accident, which happened around noon at Lakewood Airport. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries, while his plane, a Bellanca 7GCAA, was heavily damaged.

The unnamed pilot reported that preflight and ground operations were “uneventful.” After a two-hour flight, he decided to return due to weather conditions. As he was preparing to drop the banner in the banner drop area, he reported the engine responded unexpectedly, and was quoted in the report that “the engine continued to operate but produced very limited power while making abnormal combustion sounds.”

The plane impacted small pine trees and terrain, according to the report.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration found that the plane’s left wing was separated, but still attached. Its engine was partially separated from the airframe. The wreckage was retained for inspectors to further investigate.

Read the full report here!