The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report into this month’s fatal helicopter crash in Orange County.

Arthur Charych, 73, of Suffolk County, was killed when the chopper crashed near Storm King Mountain.

One witness reported he heard the helicopter’s engine falter and die. Another witness reported hearing a loud noise, then observed the helicopter in a nose down altitude traveling at a high speed, straight down.

It was cloudy at the time of the crash.

The helicopter had left Glenn Falls and was headed to Suffolk County, where the helicopter was based.

The investigation could last up to a year.