TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

1 Killed, 1 Injured In Sebring Plane Crash

PLANE WAS PART OF AVIATION EXPO AT SEBRING REGIONAL AIRPORT

ADVERTISEMENT

Highlands Today Staff Report

Published: January 25, 2009

A plane crashed at the Sebring Regional Airport in the early hours of Sunday morning, killing the passenger and injuring the pilot.

The Light Sport Aviation aircraft, manufactured by Remos Aircraft Inc., crashed around 7:45 a.m. in the airport's south ramp. Remos was one of more than 170 vendors exhibiting at the expo.

The pilot was flown to Tampa General Hospital, said Lt. Tim Lethbridge, with the Highlands County Sheriff's Office. The extent of injuries was unknown as of Sunday afternoon.

While the identity of the passenger and the pilot will be released after their families are notified, the two are not from Highlands County, Lethbridge added.

The crash happened shortly after takeoff, said the airport's Executive Director Mike Willingham. There was a second plane that was going to take off for formation, Willingham said.

An official from the Federal Aviation Administration was on the scene Sunday. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to arrive Monday, Lethbridge added.

Wreckage, from what appeared to be a white colored aircraft, lay on the south ramp, cordoned off until authorities had the chance to assess the damage.

Traffic was being rerouted, said Willingham.

Planes were seen taxiing and many remained parked close by as groups of people came and went on the last day of the airport's fifth annual event.

The crash happened before the expo opened at 9 a.m.

Willingham said he was told about it on his way to the airport.

"There were almost no people there when the crash took place," he said. Traffic controllers notified authorities.

As of Friday, over 175 spaces had been rented at the expo, which Willingham described Sunday as the most successful one so far. The expo was focused on light sport aircraft, Sport Pilot and related certificates.

"The attendance has been good; the vendors are doing brisk business," he said. "Unfortunately accidents happen. Our hearts and prayers go to the family."

Remos officials could not be reached for comments. Sunday, their tent was buttoned up and they were not exhibiting, Willingham said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT