FLORIDA, United States- A pilot has died after a small plane struck power lines and crashed near Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Florida, on Monday morning.
The single-engine Mooney M20F crashed on Columbia Boulevard, also known as State Road 405, shortly after 10.15am local time, according to emergency officials.
The pilot, who was the only person aboard the aircraft, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities did not immediately release the pilot’s identity.
The US National Transportation Safety Board said the pilot reported an engine failure shortly after taking off and attempted to turn back towards the airport.
The aircraft subsequently struck trees and power lines before crashing onto the roadway and catching fire.
Titusville Fire Department personnel extinguished the blaze with assistance from the airport’s emergency crew.
Images from the scene showed the badly damaged aircraft resting on the road as police and firefighters secured the surrounding area.
Authorities closed Columbia Boulevard in both directions between Sisson Road and US Route 1 as emergency crews responded and investigators examined the wreckage.
Florida Power & Light also disconnected electricity in the area, causing temporary outages affecting nearby homes and businesses.
No injuries were reported among people on the ground.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash to establish its cause.
WFTV reported that the aircraft came down just short of the airport property.
