The pilot who died when his helicopter crashed near Mogadore, Ohio, on March 14 was on his way to pick up a friend, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board.

Anthony Jones, 52, of North Royalton, Ohio, was the only person aboard the Schweizer 269C helicopter that crashed at 7 a.m. near a reservoir, the NTSB said.

Jones flew out from Medina Municipal Airport around 6:15 a.m., stopped to refuel at Wadsworth Municipal Airport, and was en route to Portage County Airport in Ravenna to pick up a friend, the report stated.

Preliminary data showed the helicopter climbed to about 1,600 feet after taking off from Wadsworth, then began a descending turn as it approached the reservoir. Witnesses, including one on a fishing boat, reported the helicopter flew low over a dam, about 20 feet above the water, before striking power lines. The impact caused a large flash, and the helicopter crashed into the reservoir nose first.

The helicopter came to rest in about 20 feet of water, approximately 200 feet from the reservoir’s north shore. The power lines the helicopter struck were about 50 feet above the water, according to the utility company.

The NTSB report noted that it was still dark at the time of the crash.

The NTSB said it did not travel to the scene of the accident. The agency will examine the wreckage.

The helicopter was operated by NEO Helicopter Academy LLC.