Staff Writer

 The cause of a Biddeford plane crash remains unclear after the release of a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The board last week released its first report on the April 10 plane crash that destroyed a Granite Street Extension home and killed 71-year-old pilot Edward L’Hommedieu of North Yarmouth. NTSB Investigator Shawn Etcher compiled the report.

The report outlines the path L’Hommedieu flew after he left Portland International Jetport that morning. He flew the Cessna registered to My Plane LLC to Nantucket to pick up a passenger, Etcher said. L’Hommedieu flew the passenger to White Plains, N.Y.

Before leaving Nantucket Memorial Airport, the plane received more than 115 gallons of fuel. The airport manager told investigators an employee filled all four tanks, tips and inboard tanks to the top, according to the report.

L’Hommedieu was on his way back to Portland when he requested permission to change his destination to Biddeford Municipal Airport. His son, Chris L’Hommedieu, said his father decided “on a whim” to meet a friend for dinner in Biddeford.

The plane flew past the south end of  Biddeford Municipal Airport at around 1,000 feet. The plane was seen turning right then slightly left toward the airport about two miles from the approach end of the runway.

According to the report, the plane was traveling at about 69 knots at an altitude of 400 feet when it lost contact with air traffic control radar just before crashing at 6:05 p.m. The plane hit four trees that ranged in diameter from 3.2 inches to 8.75 inches before crashing into the roof of the single-family home owned by Steve and Kim Myers.

The crash sparked a fire that destroyed the home and plane. The left engine of the plane was found inside the home. The right wing and engine were visible on the roof, according to the report.

The ongoing investigation is expected to last months.

L’Hommedieu was killed when the plane crashed into the home. There were no injuries on the ground. The Myers and their dog had left the house shortly before the crash to have dinner with family.

L’Hommedieu, a New York native who moved to Maine to be closer to his children and grandchildren, was an experienced and decorated pilot. He joined the Air Force in 1964 and in 1972 was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross for his role as a lead bombardier in an air strike.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.