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NTSB Releases Preliminary Report In Deadly NJ Plane Crash Near I-287

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- The first official report on last week's deadly plane crash in New Jersey was released on Wednesday. The preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board says the cause of the crash is unknown.

However, the report did indicate that the pilot, Jeffrey Buckalew, received clearance to fly higher because of icing conditions. He only climbed 900 feet before the single engine Socata TBM-700 turboprop began to descend before eventually breaking apart over I-287.

A final probable-cause report from the NTSB could take a year or more to complete.

The tragic plane crash left Buckalew dead, also killing his wife Corrine, his two children and business partner, Rakesh Chawla.

Since the crash, officials have raised the question of icing and what, if any, impact it had on the tragedy.

The flaming cabin landed in the middle of the road but miraculously, no drivers were hurt. The plane had just left Teterboro Airport and was heading to suburban Atlanta.

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