<p>MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — A small private plane that crashed in South Carolina last month, killing the pilot, had a key part installed upside down and backward after maintenance, according to a federal report.</p>
<p>James Harper, 60, died in the May 21 crash of his Piper PA-31 just after taking off from Myrtle Beach International Airport. He was a pilot with American Airlines, authorities said.</p>
<p>The small plane’s primary and secondary flight controls had been removed, painted and reinstalled two days before the crash, according to a <a href="https://twitter.com/NTSB_Newsroom/status/1400910747232882688">preliminary accident report</a> from the National Transportation Safety Board.</p>
<p>Investigators looking at the wreckage of the plane found the elevator trim tabs were installed upside down and backward. The tabs when installed properly help pilots maintain a steady climb or decent without a lot of force.</p>
<p>Harper radioed air traffic controllers almost immediately after taking off about 6:15 p.m. May 21 for a short flight to North Myrtle Beach and said he needed to return to the airport, according to the crash report.</p>
<p>When controllers asked if he needed any assistance, Harper responded “yes, we’re in trouble." They did not hear from him again, according to the report.</p>
<p>The plane climbed and fell erratically during the two minutes it was in the air, the federal agency said.</p>
<p>The report did not say who did the maintenance on the plane. A more extensive examination will be released from the federal agency later.</p>
