VENICE, Fla. (AP) — A pilot was killed when a twin-engine plane crashed while attempting to return to the Venice Municipal Airport shortly after taking off.
Authorities say the plane was bound for Lafayette, Ga. The pilot reported engine trouble after taking off from the southwest Florida airport at 2:05 p.m. Monday. It crashed short of the runway.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune (http://bit.ly/sX96Eg) reports witnesses saw the plane flying low over the beach prior to the crash. Police and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.
Venice spokeswoman Pam Johnson says the pilot’s name has not been release, pending notification of the family.
The newspaper reports a Cessna 152 lost power when it was several feet off the ground and crashed into a building on Dec. 9. The 42-year-old pilot was not injured.
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Information from: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, http://www.herald-trib.com
Source: Associated Press
