WOODBINE— The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary findings on the Pitts aerobatic bi-plane that crashed off Frederickstadt Ave on June 25.

According to the report Neville J. Hogan, 60, of Sudbury, Mass departed Laurence Hanscom Field in Bedford, Mass around 3:00 p.m. and was en-route to the Cape May County airport for an aerobatic competition.

Hogan was flying in tandem with an Extra 300L aircraft whose pilot was not identified in the report.

Hogan's airplane had slowed down about 40 miles from its destination and changed course to the Woodbine airport. The pilot of the Extra 300L called Hogan on the radio and asked him what the problem was; however, he did not respond. The pilot of the Extra 300L circled Hogan's airplane twice, as he continued to descend. When the airplane was approximately one mile from Woodbine Airport, Hogan stated over the radio, "I'm not going to make it," and subsequently impacted trees, the report says.

The pilot of the Extra 300L could no longer see the aircraft and decided to land at the Woodbine Airport. After landing, he drove to the accident site. When he arrived on scene he asked Hogan if he "ran out of fuel." Hogan responded, "I think so."

According to the pilot of the Extra 300L, they did not make any fuel stops enroute. He also stated that because his airplane had more fuel onboard than the Hogan's airplane, he let Hogan take the lead position. He reported this would allow Hogan to land if he needed to refuel.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The upper wing fuel tank contained approximately 3-5 gallons of fuel, and no fuel was observed in the lower wing (main) fuel tank.

The final report is expected to take one year according to NTSB officals.