CHECOTAH, Okla. (AP) — A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board on a fatal Oklahoma plane crash says witnesses heard the aircraft's engine "rev up" before it crashed.
The crash on Saturday about two-and-a-half miles west of Checotah in eastern McIntosh County killed 42-year-old Douglas Hyer.
The NTSB report says witnesses saw the Titan Tornado II home-built aircraft take off — then level off before making a steep left turn of more than 180 degrees.
The witnesses told NTSB investigators that the plane turned more than 180 degrees before they heard the engine "rev up" and saw the plane crash nearly nose first into the ground.
A final report on the crash is not expected for several months.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.