“I can't get this thing to-“

FAIRVIEW, Ore. – A preliminary report released today by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sheds light on the tragic plane crash that occurred in Fairview in August.

On August 3, around 10:20 a.m., a twin-engine Cessna 421C crashed into a residential neighborhood in Fairview

The crash destroyed and damaged several townhouses and killed both people on the plane and a woman in her home.

READ MORE: KATU's coverage of the Fairview plane crash

“At some point during the crash it struck a utility pole or tower and toppled over. The plane crashed into a townhouse building and that building also caught fire,” said Deputy John Plock of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

An initial NTSB investigation determined the crash occurred during a routine maintenance flight.

The latest report confirms that the pilot appeared to have had a problem controlling the aircraft. He was cleared to land, but then flew above airport traffic altitude and told air traffic control that there were “handling issues.”

RELATED:Woman loses her friend and neighbor of almost 20 years in fatal plane crash in Fairview

This was followed by a partial radio transmission of “Test flight; I can't get this thing to-“

In response to another question from the air traffic controller about whether they could land, the second pilot on board replied: “We'll try, I'm not sure.” The controller cleared the pilots to land on any runway.

However, no further radio transmissions were received from either pilot. Data and video footage showed the plane continued a descending left turn with its landing gear extended before the wing struck power lines and crashed.

The report detailed a “debris trail” that officials described as “consisting of various aircraft fragments, vegetation and residential debris,” measuring approximately 703 feet long and 477 feet wide.

The report also confirmed that the power lines were approximately 110 feet high.

The NTSB's investigation into the crash is ongoing.