CHESTERVILLE — A federal transportation investigator’s report states an examination of a plane that crashed in a field off Egypt Pond Road in July revealed structural damage to both wings, wing struts, elevator and to the engine firewall.

Parker H. Tyler, 62, of Skowhegan, the pilot, suffered minor injuries and walked away after his single-engine float plane crashed in a field 300 to 400 feet off the road while trying to land on Egypt Pond.

The Federal Aviation Administration classified the crash of the Smith PA18 replica as an accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board released a factual account on Monday of what happened from the pilot’s perspective but has not released a report on the probable cause. According to the report, the pilot stated he was turning in preparation for a water landing with his float-equipped airplane. He reported the airspeed was 60 miles per hour. During the turn, at approximately 30 to 40 feet above the trees, the airplane began to sink and the left wing and nose dropped, the report states.

The pilot further stated he had no time to recover because the aircraft hit trees and then the ground. He also stated that there were no deficiencies with the performance and handling of the plane. The pilot explained that this accident may have been prevented if he performed a steeper approach with increased airspeed, according to the report.

The pilot reported that he had 2,070 hours of total flight experience, of which 172 hours were in the Smith PA18 replica configured with floats. The recorded wind at an airport 15 nautical miles south southeast, about the time of the accident, was variable at 4 knots; however, the pilot reported rain showers in the vicinity accompanied by “rolling turbulence from the nearby hills,” the report states.

Review of recorded weather at approximately the time and within a 30-nautical-mile radius of the accident site did not reveal precipitation or wind gusts, according to the report.

Franklin County Sheriff Department deputies, Chesterville and Mt. Vernon firefighters and other emergency personnel were first on the scene of the plane crash on private property in July.

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