SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Nearly a month after the Montana helicopter crash that killed four members of Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey’s family, federal investigators have released a preliminary report outlining early findings in the case.

The crash on Oct. 22 claimed the lives of Zach Bailey, his wife Kelsey, and their young children Vada Rose and Samuel. The couple’s 10-year-old son, Finn, was not on board. The family had departed from a private ranch in a Robinson R44 helicopter, traveling alongside a plane headed toward Ekalaka Airport in southeastern Montana.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot of the accompanying plane reported losing sight of the helicopter during the flight. Around the same time, a witness on the ground said she observed the chopper descending, saw something fall from it, and then watched it attempt to climb before the crash.

Investigators said debris was scattered across a large open field, with no fire or explosion at the scene.

In its preliminary report, the NTSB said early evidence points to an in-flight structural or component failure at low altitude as a possible contributing factor. The agency emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that a final report could take months.

Despite the tragedy, Darren Bailey has announced he will continue his campaign for Illinois governor.