This Article is From Mar 31, 2010

Small plane crashes into building near US airport

Small plane crashes into building near US airport

AP Image

Roanoke (US): A small plane carrying two people crashed into the side of a United Press Service freight facility near the airport in Roanoke in western Virginia.
       
Roanoke County Fire spokeswoman Jennifer Conley Sexton says the plane was taking off just before 1 pm local time on Tuesday when it hit power lines, crashed into the corner of the building and then burst into flames.
    
One person in the plane got out on his own and rescue crews helped the other out of the wreckage.
   
The pilot of a single-engine plane has died.

Spokeswoman Allison Buth says 59-year-old Peter Sheeran died at a hospital after the crash.

She says passenger John Whitmer is in serious condition. Both men are from Charlottesville.

There were no other injuries.

Airport spokeswoman Sherry Wallace says Sheeran reported a problem with the Piper to air traffic controllers shortly before the crash.
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