CONEWANGO TWP, Warren County - Sudden, heavy wind gusts might have been a factor in last week's single-engine airplane crash that killed a Butler County businessman.

While the cause of the April 11 crash remains under investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board on Thursday released its preliminary report that found no apparent mechanical problems with the plane.

But the report noted "howling" winds, gusting to more than 25 mph, prior to the crash off a Warren Airpark runway that killed Malcolm Strachan Jr., 45, of Penn Township.

Strachan was the lone passenger on the Cessna 177. Pilot Duane Burtner, 53, of Penn Township was seriously injured, and remains in fair condition at Hamot Medical Center in Erie, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Burtner reportedly suffered broken bones in both legs and other injuries to his arms and head.

Family members could not be reached for comment.

Strachan and Burtner were flying to Warren on a business trip for TroubleShooters

,

a process control and instrumentation company specializing in projects for chemical and steel plants.

Strachan was president of the company he founded in 1993. Burtner is a partner and the firm's secretary.

The two men had left the Butler County Airport about 3:20 p.m. on the business trip and the 1976 Cessna owned by Burtner touched down on the runway of the privately-owned Warren Airpark just after 4 p.m.

But a witness told investigators that the aircraft traveled off the right side of the runway, before leaving his sight, the NTSB report said.

The report, required of federal investigations into all plane crashes, details flight information, weather conditions and findings of the wreckage inspected after the crash.

The witness said he heard the engine speed increase before the plane struck several trees and crashed into woods that surround the airport.

"The witness added that there was a 'howling' wind from the west at the time of the accident," the report said.

Investigators later determined that minutes prior to the crash winds were 13 mph, "gusting" to 26 mph.

Bob Pelini, who was at the airport to meet Strachan and Burtner, witnessed the crash and previously told the Butler Eagle the wind gusts most of the day seemed to pick up about the time the plane landed.

Still, he said the plane appeared to make a "decent" landing before going off the runway.

Pelini said he believed after the plane veered off, Burtner tried to fly back up over a ravine, but the plane's wings or landing gear clipped several trees and crashed upside down.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector traced the plane's landing gear tire tracks from the runway and off onto the grass. The plane traveled about 25 feet on the grass before the tracks ended prior to a 40-degree down slope, the NTSB report said.

About 1,100 feet past the last tire track was a tree line with trees about 50 feet tall, "and a couple of trees displayed fresh broken tree branches," according to the report.

The plane ended upside down about 80 feet beyond the tree line.

Pelini and a neighbor immediately ran to help and both pulled Burtner from the wreckage before paramedics arrived.

Warren County Coroner Jerry Borden pronounced Strachan dead of head and neck injuries at the scene.

The NTSB report revealed no immediate problems with the aircraft's braking or nosewheel steering systems. The propeller showed scratches and gouges, apparently sustained in the crash.

NTSB officials said the report offers only preliminary information into the crash. A five-member board will review the report and any further findings, and issue a final report in five to six months, possibly longer.

The final report would likely include a probable cause in the crash.