NTSB: Engine failure led to Pasco plane crash

Washington, D.C. -- Engine failure led to the crash that killed three people near Zephyrhills last month, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The preliminary report said the plane had descended from 5,000 to 2,000 feet for approach to the Lakeland Lindner Regional Airport, the pilot had the runway in sight and acknowledged clearance for a visual landing.

"About 30 seconds later, the pilot declared an emergency and requested assistance to the nearest airport," the NTSB report said. "The controller provided a vector and distance to the nearest suitable airport, ZPH (Zephyrhills), and the pilot subsequently reported 'engine out, engine out.'"

The plane crashed and burned about 4 miles northeast of the airport, killing pilot Thomas Scott Long, 44, of Hudson and his passengers Tina Copeland, 46, and her daughter Cami, 7, both of Lakeland.

The NTSB said a cursory examination of the recovered engine "did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunction" but the engine was retained for a teardown examination.

Maintenance records indicated the plane was last inspected December 9, 2008 -- the same time the engine was installed in the airplane.