The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report on the small plane crash that killed three people near Peru, West Virginia on the night of October 2nd.
The flight by the Piper PA-32 Saratoga originated in North Myrtle Beach and went missing as it was heading to Johnstown, PA.
The NTSB report does not speculate on a cause, but reveals observations taken from the investigation into the crash.
The report said the plane struck several trees about 120 feet tall, causing the aircraft's stabilizer, or tail section, to break off and become lodged in a tree. Both wings were torn off and fragmented, with the plane's engine and cockpit coming to rest about 15 feet from where the plane struck the ground.
The crash left a debris field about 650 feet long, with impact marks on several trees.
The report noted that pilot Michael Garrone of Allegheny Township, VA did not have instrument rating, which would have allowed him to fly the plane on instrument readings alone.
NTSB officials have said it could be a year or more before a final report, including a cause for the crash, is released.
