Small plane crashes in U.S. state of Virginia, pilot dies
09:52, 31 March 2010
MOSCOW. March 31. KAZINFORM A small plane crashed into a building in the U.S. state of Virginia on Tuesday; the pilot later died and the passenger was injured, the Roanoke Times reported citing airport officials and eyewitnesses; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
The crash occurred near Roanoke Regional Airport. According to witnesses, the Piper PA-46 plane wobbled, hit utility wires and crashed into the UPS Freight building before bursting into flames.
Airport officials said the plane was taking off and the pilot called the air traffic control tower for emergency assistance.
Peter Sheeran, 57, the pilot of the Piper PA-46, initially survived the crash. John Whitmer, the passenger, was in serious condition.
No one on the ground was reported injured; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti.
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