NTSB Report Released About Plane Crash In Harford Co. Killing Ret. U.S. Army Major General

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — No sounds that indicated engine trouble were heard from witnesses before recently retired U.S. Army Major General Anthony Potts crash-landed his single-engine plane on July 25 in Harford County, a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board said. The agency is investigating the accident that killed Potts, 59, who lived at the Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Potts crash-landed the single-engine Piper PA-28 Cherokee airplane in the area of the 3600 block of Old Level Road in Havre de Grace. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and no other injuries or serious property damage was reported. He put the plane down in a nearby field to avoid any additional casualties.

Potts last served as a program executive officer for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical after nearly four decades of service, according to Fox News. He led a 1,600-person team at Aberdeen Proving Ground, a research site for the service, in the development of upgraded body armor, weapons and network technology, among other efforts in the Army's move to redesign its force by next decade.

The NTSB disclosed in its report that a mechanic at Harford County Airport in Churchville spoke with Potts at approximately 6:50 p.m. on the day of the crash while he was conducting a pre-flight inspection of the plane. He said that the point of this particular flight was to fly in the airport pattern a few times to prepare for an upcoming cross-country flight. The plane crashed about half a mile from the end of the runway.

A witness reported that he heard the airplane begin its takeoff run around 7:05 p.m. and that he heard an engine sound for about 45 seconds before he heard the sound of impact. Another witness reported seeing the airplane in a steep left bank "with the wings perpendicular to the ground” and stated that the airplane was extremely low compared to the airplanes that normally flew over his house.

Both witnesses reported that the engine sound was constant and they did not hear any backfiring or sputtering. The fuselage was impact damaged and crushed. Two of the three propeller blades were bent about mid-span and the third was bent forward about mid-span. The propeller governor remained attached to the accessory housing and was impact damaged at the mounting flange. During the most recent annual inspection the airplane had a new propeller and interior installed.

However, maintenance personnel reported that during an engine run with the new propeller installed, while at full power, the thrust level was so great that the airplane began to move even with full braking applied.

The wreckage was retained for further examination, the NTSB report stated.