Harrison Ford plane crash: new details released

A preliminary investigation into actor Harrison Ford's crash-landing last week shows his small plane had engine troubles shortly after takeoff, couldn't make it back to the airport and he had no choice but to make an emergency landing.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board also suggested that the "Indiana Jones" actor was lucky to still be alive .

Ford, 72, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries in the March 5 crash and is "going to be OK," his publicist has said.

In new details, the NTSB said Ford's World War II-era Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR "sustained substantial damage." Shortly after takeoff from the Santa Monica Municpal Airport, Ford reported having engine problems and requested to try and return the airport.

When he couldn't make it back, Ford had to put the aircraft down on Venice's Penmar Golf Course, about 800 feet southwest of the nearest runway. The plane clipped the top of a tree just before it crash-landed.