NORFOLK, Neb. (KTIV) – Federal authorities have filed their preliminary report on a plane crash in northeast Nebraska that killed the pilot.

The accident happened on Monday, October 7, near the airport in Norfolk. Police say around 7:40 p.m. first responders were called to the Norfolk Regional Airport where they found a crashed plane near the runway. The pilot, Philip Widner, 37, of Bedford, Texas he died at the scene.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary report says the crash occurred shortly after takeoff, landing about 2,000 feet from the runway. Authorities say the plane was on a cargo flight headed for Omaha.

“The plane left runway 20 and left the ground. The airplane then entered a left bank turn, descended and impacted the terrain,” the NTSB’s preliminary report said.

In the crash, the plane separated into two pieces, with the tail section breaking off and the rest of the plane ending up about 24 meters away.

“A post-impact fire ensued, consuming most of the wreckage,” the NTSB said.

All major components of the aircraft were found at the crash site, but due to fire damage, no valuables could be recovered from the cockpit.

What caused the crash is still unknown as authorities are still investigating.

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