THE DTSB
Pending. The aircraft was being flown as a reposition flight for a new owner. The aircraft reported losing RPM in flight and set up for an of field landing. “According to preliminary air traffic control communication data, the pilot contacted an air traffic controller about 20 minutes after taking off from HVC and told him that the engine was losing rpm and that he needed radar vectors to the closest airport. The controller told the pilot that he was 7 miles away from an airport. The pilot said the airplane would not be able to reach that airport and that he was setting up for an off-airport landing. No more communications were received from the pilot.” The crash site area is surrounded by flat, open fields. The accident pilot mix judged his energy state and impacted a tree just short of his intended landing field. The pilots name has not yet been released.