EUSTIS, Fla. (AP) — Authorities say a 47-year-old man died after crashing a red-and-white “trike aircraft” near the runway of a general aviation airport in Florida.
The Orlando Sentinel reported Sunday that The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Fred Jones says a witness, Russell Smith, told deputies he saw the ultralight plane doing “bunny hops,” bouncing up and down off the runway.
“Smith advised that the pilot fly south before making a final approach,” Jones said. “At this time the aircraft went beyond the trees and he could hear a loud crash.”
Patrons from a nearby church came to the witness’ help, lifted the plane off the man, who wasn’t immediately identified, and removed him from the cockpit.
The Federal Aviation Administration has taken over the investigation.
