PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A new preliminary report on a deadly plane crash into a Fairview neighborhood in late August has been released by federal investigators.

The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report on the Aug. 31 crash, which killed two people on board the Cessna 421C aircraft and one person in a townhouse when the plane finally crashed into it, showed the pilot responded to air traffic controller questions about his intentions that "he was having 'handling problems' followed by a partial radio transmission of 'Test flight; I can't get this thing to-'"

The report states the controller told the pilot, identified by Multnomah County authorities as Michael C. Busher, of converging air traffic and then asked all other aircraft to standby, giving clearance for Busher to land.

However, when the controller asked if they were able to land, the NTSB's preliminary report stated the second pilot, identified by Multnomah County authorities as 79-year-old flight instructor Jacqueline K. Whitford, said, "We're going to try, not sure."

It was the last received radio transmission from the Cessna, according to the NTSB.

Radar data cited in the report showed the Cessna continued to descend turning to the left about 2 miles south of its initial runway before radar contact was lost.

That was a short time before the plane hit power lines, then a large oak tree, before crashing into multiple homes, including the home of 75-year-old Barbara J. MacDonald, who was killed as she slept in her home at the time of the crash.

The crash left thousands without power that day and displaced three other families.

The cause of the crash is still being determined.