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NTSB: Partial Engine Failure Led To Plane Crash Near Tipton Airport

FORT MEADE, Md. (WJZ) -- Federal investigators release new information on what caused a plane crash in Anne Arundel County that nearly killed two men. The NTSB finds engine problems sent the plane out of control.

Rick Ritter spoke with the pilot about these new findings.

A preliminary report released by the NTSB says a partial loss of power to the engine caused the plane to go down. It's a crash the pilot says he shouldn't have survived.

It's been nearly six weeks since Jeff Barnett's plane went spiraling down. A traumatic wreck that doesn't get any easier.

"It was a pretty bad crash, so you start thinking about your own immortality a little bit more," he said.

For the 57-year-old, it's still surreal.

"We survived it, but the investigators said they didn't really think they'd be interviewing us. And that's very sobering," said Barnes.

But as the shock continues, the crash itself becomes more clear--with a cause that's now being attributed to engine failure.

"It was absolute perfect storm," said Barnett.

On February 8, Barnett's plane went down in the woods near the Tipton Airport. On board, his close friend, 82-year-old Thomas Cline.

Rescuers scrambled to pull the two from the submerged wreck, where they were both rushed to Shock Trauma.

"I just can't say enough good things about the rescue workers. Prince George's County, Anne Arundel County, state police and Shock Trauma team were all fantastic," said Barnett.

According to the NTSB, the plane's engine started to lose power shortly after takeoff.

Barnett tried desperately to keep the plane in the air, but was unsuccessful, leaving the Glen Burnie pilot with just seconds to make a life saving move.

"You take what you have, land straight ahead into the tops of trees and you just act like tops of trees are your runway," said Barnett.

One he preaches as a flight instructor.

"The noise of the branches and tree trunks hitting the tree stopped, and the silence was deafening," said Barnett.

With six broken vertebrae and a fractured sternum, it's a collision very few survive.

"It was a miracle. Somebody isn't ready for him to be gone from us yet," said his wife, Melissa Barnett.

But won't keep Barnett from doing what he loves.

"Absolutely. It's part of our lives. We couldn't do without aviation," Barnett said.

NTSB has yet to release a final report on the crash, which usually takes months to complete.

The passenger in the crash, Thomas Cline, did survive and is expected to be released from a care facility soon.

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