APRIL 1, 2015
FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA
A pilot died when his small plane crashed Wednesday north of
Fort Pierce on Indian River Drive in the inlet.
The crash occurred in the St. Lucie Village subdivision,
which is on path of the runway at the St. Lucie International Airport, Scripps
Treasure Coast Newspapers reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the plane as
a Bedecorp BD-22, single-engine aircraft.
The BD-22L is a two seat, low wing, tricycle gear aircraft. It can be
flown with the canopy open.
"Witnesses say it was in distress over the Indian
River, attempted to turn and probably make its way back to the Fort Pierce
International Airport, however witnesses report it fell from the sky nose first
and crashed," said St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara.
"Upon crashing impact the plane exploded and there was
one person onboard and that was the pilot," the sheriff said.
The Sheriff said the department recovered the pilot's body
about 200 yards west of the crash site.
Airplane crash in Fort pierce on Indian River drive in the
inlet
— SLC Firefighters (@SLCFirefighters) April 1, 2015
@SLCFirefighters 1 signal 7
— SLC Firefighters (@SLCFirefighters) April 1, 2015
Sheriff Mascara is on scene of fatal airplane crash in St.
Lucie Village. Photo taken by Sheriff Mascara. http://t.co/uh23qqLVPG
— St. Lucie Sheriff (@stluciesheriff) April 1, 2015
Investigators with @stluciesheriff heading back toward area
where downed plane is. One dead. pic.twitter.com/Fh2MjVZqbS
— Jon Shainman (@JonShainman) April 1, 2015
Source:wptv.com