Preliminary report shows engine failure as cause of fatal Auburn plane crash, NTSB says

The preliminary reports into the fatal Auburn plane crash in January shows that engine failure was the main cause of the accident, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.

The crash happened shortly after the Stinson Vultee V-77 took off from Auburn Municipal Airport at 9:45 on Jan. 24, according to the release. Witnessed reported hearing the plane’s engine backfire and stutter before shutting off completely.

The pilot, Anthony Lawrence Wright, radioed to the airport saying the engine had died and then saying they were going down in the trees.

The plane’s tail struck the trees before crashing into rocky wooden terrain, destroying the plane. No explosions or fire were noted in the report. No flight plan was filed and weather conditions were ideal on the day.

Wright, 80, and his son, Anthony Lawrence Wright Jr., 55, were killed while another passenger was seriously injured. Wright Jr. worked as a reserve officer and full-time records officer with the Rancho Cordova Police Department.

All major components of the plane were recovered and moved to another location as the investigation continues. The Federal Aviation Administration is also part of the investigation.