Pilot Had 'Problem' Before Fatal Crash Into Merrimack River: Report

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The pilot whose small plane took a fatal plunge into the Merrimack River last month experienced a 'problem' after takeoff, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a preliminary report obtained by WCVB.

The crash occurred on the afternoon of June 17, after which the plane, a single-engine Van’s RV-6A, was found in the river in Lawrence and a dive team was dispatched to find the pilot.

Before the crash, the pilot — who was the only person on board — reported the problem to air traffic control and was told to land on any runway possible, according to WCVB. The last words air traffic control officials heard the pilot say was "Oh, oh."

Read the full report in WCVB.