The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on last week's deadly plane crash in Syosset.
Three people were killed when the Beech V35B broke up in mid-air at 3:42 p.m. after taking off from North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at about 12:40 p.m., according to the report.
The pilot reported problems with the plane's vacuum system and instruments at 3:30 p.m., according to the NTSB. The pilot also said the flight was operating in visual flight rules on top of clouds and he planned to continue VFR to his destination in Plainville, Connecticut.
Twelve minutes later, the plane broke up, spreading debris over nearly half a mile.
The pilot, identified earlier as 66-year-old David Berube, had an airline transport pilot certificate, as well as a commercial pilot certificate. He had 4,000 hours of flying experience when he received his FAA third-class medical certificate in September 2014.
A final report is expected to be issued in 6 to 12 months.
