The small plane that crashed this month in East Aurora, killing the pilot, had experienced engine failure, according to a preliminary National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report released Tuesday.

Paul Marsh of Lansing, Michigan, the sole person aboard the single-engine Beechcraft A-36, died Dec. 19, when the plane crashed in a residential neighborhood at around 11:22 a.m., according to local police.

Marsh departed from Lansing for White Plains in Westchester County, but about one hour and 20 minutes into flight, declared an emergency at 12,500 feet, citing “very low power on my engine,” the NTSB report says. The pilot requested to remain as high as possible, but then reported the airplane was unable to maintain altitude, the report states.

Marsh opted for an off-airport landing. Air traffic controllers directed him to a freeway, but he indicated he would land in a field. That was the last communication from the plane, which struck a tree trunk and was destroyed in the crash, the NTSB said.