A Millersburg small aircraft pilot who flies over the New York skyline as often as twice a week says he believes a mechanical problem doomed the plane that killed New York Yankee Cory Lidle and his flight instructor.

Larry Clark, 53, said a reported distress call from the plane and indications that the plane flew between Manhattan buildings before crashing suggests the cause wasn?t the pilot?s fault.

?It looked like they were having engine problems and looking for a place to land,? he said.

Clark has flown single and twin-engine planes in his 38-year career and currently owns three twin-engines Cessnas as part of his business, Professional Aviation Company, which flies corporate and celebrity clients on private planes.

In February, he flew Tyler Gardiner, of Massillon, on a last wish trip to New York City. Tyler died in May after a three-year battle with cancer.

Clark says he?s always interested to find out what causes plane crashes.

?I want to find out was it mechanical and if it?s the same aircraft as mine, what went wrong,? he said, adding that he receives information about reports of mechanical problems with planes. ?They?ll send you notices.?

The pilot added he hasn?t heard too many concerns with the single-engine Cirrus SR20 that was registered to the Yankee pitcher.

?You hate to see anybody go down,? he said. ?You try to learn from the mistakes that are made. We want to make sure it?s something we can avoid. But considering he hit pretty high on the building and it wasn?t a near miss indicates the plane must have had problems.?

Clark said that regulations state pilots have to fly at least 1,000 feet over the highest obstacle through downtown New York City and at least 3,000 feet in congested areas.