[Frank Benvin]

NTSB issue the preliminary report into an accident involving a Cessna P337H Pressurized Skymaster, N62PC, that occurred on May 3, 2023, near Laurel Municipal Airport (6S8), Laurel, Montana:
On May 3, 2023, about 0815 mountain daylight time, a Cessna P337H, N62PC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Laurel, Montana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal cross-country flight.
According to the pilot, this was his first flight in the airplane since he purchased it last year. He had planned a cross-country flight from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN), Bozeman, Montana, to Beatrice Municipal Airport (BIE), Beatrice, Nebraska. The takeoff and climb to 11,500 ft was normal. He descended to 9,500 ft to avoid clouds. During the ascent back to 11,500 ft, the pilot reported that there was an oil pressure drop and a spike in oil temperature for the rear engine. He was near Laurel Municipal Airport (6S8), Laurel, Montana, and decided to make a precautionary landing.
The pilot stated that he set up for landing, shut down the rear engine, and secured the propeller. He was about ¼ mile from runway 22 when the airplane lost altitude and airspeed. The airplane stalled about 10 ft above ground level (agl) and impacted a drainage ditch.
The airplane was recovered for further examination.