Preliminary results of an investigation into the Oct. 9 helicopter crash that killed the pilot and a passenger indicate the aircraft did not have any mechanical problems.
The helicopter - a Bell 407 manufactured in 2007 - had been inspected just over two months prior to the crash that killed its pilot, William Ellsworth, 52, of Califon, N.J., and its front-seat passenger, Tighe Sullivan, 51, of Darien, Conn.
The crash occurred about 8 p.m., just over a mile from Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport in Mount Pocono, according to the report released Friday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Though the NTSB report is preliminary and subject to change, the condition of the helicopter - which still contained fuel after the crash - and the weather conditions detailed in the report support authorities' initial explanation the helicopter crashed as a result of fog and rain.
At the time of the crash, a light rain was falling and an overcast ceiling hung 200 feet in the area, the report said.
The helicopter was headed for Westchester County, N.Y., after a day spent hopping throughout New Jersey and New York picking up passengers, transporting them to breakfast and golf engagements, then making the rounds to various airports dropping them off.
Aside from Mr. Sullivan, the only other passenger in the helicopter at the time of the crash was Stephen Barral of Bernardsville, N.J., who survived.
Contrary to initial reports, the helicopter never landed in Wilkes-Barre prior to the crash. The aircraft had last stopped in Elmira, N.Y., before heading toward Westchester County Airport in White Plains, N.Y.
Though the helicopter was reported missing at 10 p.m., emergency responders could not locate the aircraft in the heavily wooded area off Interstate 380 where it crashed until about 2:30 a.m.
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