An NTSB preliminary report details the final moments of the plane that crashed off Pacific Grove.

The twin-engine plane carrying three local men that crashed into the ocean 300-feet off of Asilomar State Beach in Pacific Grove on July 26, killing all three aboard, was heard by witnesses flying overhead several times, with one witness describing erratic engine noises, according to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board on Friday, Aug. 22.

The report details the last moments of the flight carrying James Vincent, 36, Jamie Lee Tabscott, 44, and Steve Eugene Clatterbuck, 60, but draws no conclusions. A final report is pending.

Two days before the report was released, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, family and friends of the three men, including members of the local diving community—Vincent owned Aquarius Dive Shop in Monterey and all three were divers— gathered inside the Pacific Grove City Council chambers where they observed a moment of silence. At the request of the family, a memorial bench is being planned for near the crash site.

The preliminary report shared the details of the flight from when it took off in San Carlos at 10:11pm on July 26, until it crashed at 10:37pm. Vincent is not mentioned by name in the report; he was a licensed pilot and had received multi-engine rating certification to fly the twin-engine in February.

About 17 minutes into the flight, a controller asked Vincent to acknowledge a turbulence report, which he did. Vincent then told the controller he had obtained the current weather for MRY and requested approach, which he was cleared to do.

As the plane was making the approach, the controller noticed the plane had descended below the minimum vectoring altitude—the lowest altitude above sea level that a controller can safely assist a pilot.

The controller asked Vincent if he was going around, to which Vincent replied "yes," and asked for instructions on getting back on approach. Vincent acknowledged the instructions, but shortly after the controller issued several low altitude alerts before losing radio communication.

Recorded data from the Federal Aviation Administration showed that the plane began a descent from 5,000 feet to 2,400 feet, then at 10:33pm made a left turn in an easterly direction and descended to 1,600 feet. At 10:36pm the plane began a left descending turn and continued in a descending left turn until the controller lost contact at 10:37pm.

"Witnesses near the accident reported hearing an airplane overflying their residence several times," the report states. "One witness also reported hearing erratic engine noises and a low-flying airplane in a level left turn over their residence."

The witness shared that the plane turned to the north and was nose down until they could no longer see it. They heard a loud sound upon impact.

The plane was found about 300 feet from shore at a depth of about 10 to 15 feet, according to the report. 

The winds recorded shortly after the crash were about 6 miles per hour, with a visibility of 10 miles and ceiling overcast at 900 feet.

The bodies of the three men were recovered in the early morning hours of July 27. The plane was removed and taken to a secure location for investigation.