The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on a deadly plane crash in Cattaraugus County.

The crash happened earlier this month in Great Valley.

The NTSB says there is no evidence of mechanical problems.

The report says the pilot owned the Cessna 177B.

He was seriously hurt. His passenger was killed.

The Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Office says the passenger, 80-year-old William Mandelare, was from Brockport.

The report says the two had flown from Brockport to the Great Valley Airport.

They met another pilot for lunch.

The weather was described as "an absolute perfect day to fly" by another pilot.

One witness told investigators the plane bounced a couple of times before it became airborne.

She says the plane climbed to about 20 feet above ground when it made a hard left.

She says she did not see or hear anything unusual before the crash, except it was low and late taking off.

The crash is still under investigation.