The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on the crash Tuesday, stating that Ford had no choice but to try and land the aircraft after it lost power. Ford's World War II-era Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR "sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing after takeoff from the Santa Monica Municipal Airport."
Shortly after takeoff, Ford reported having engine problems and requested to try and return to the airport. When he couldn't make it back, Ford had to put the aircraft down on Venice's Penmar Golf Course, about 800 feet southwest of the nearest runway, according to the report. The plane clipped the top of a tree just before it crash-landed.
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