NTSB Releases Report on N.H. Plane Crash

82-year-old man seriously injured last week in Laconia, New Hampshire

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on a New Hampshire plane crash.

An 82-year-old man was seriously injured June 18 after he crashed his plane in a field right near his home in Laconia.

The Piper PA-22-150 was substantially damaged when it made a forced landing to the field shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot.

No flight plan was filed for the flight that was destined for Hampton Airport.

A witness stated that she heard the airplane on the takeoff roll and turned around to watch it depart. She said the engine was "spitting and sputtering." The witness also said the airplane started a right turn toward her, but felt that the pilot saw her standing there so he turned left. The pilot then pulled up to avoid hitting a house.

The witness said a "pop, pop" sound followed by a total loss of power.

The plane came to a rest upright in a field. From the point of impact to where the airplane came to rest was about 40 feet.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplanes. His most recent FAA second-class medical was issued on Oct. 13, 2014.

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