Pilot Dies in Aircraft Crash Today
Deputies won't release the pilot's name until his next of kin are notified.
The pilot of an ultralight aircraft died this afternoon when he apparently crashed his homemade plane off of Buckeye Road and Grass Farm Road in north Manatee County, according to a Manatee County Sheriff's report.
Deputies responded to the crash at about 4:35 p.m. today and reported that the pilot was dead when they arrived. According to the sheriff's report, the pilot toof off from Airport Manatee located on U.S. 41 in Palmetto.
The sheriff's office is withholding the pilot's name pending notification of his next of kin.
The Federal Aviation Administration will not investigate the crash because the aircraft was a homemade experimental ultralight.
Michele
7:11 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Homemade ultra light? Great way for his family to remember New Years.
RIP
Charlesworth Longtooth III
10:52 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Is this really what the his family deserves? God forbid you die while texting, or while leaving an insensitive comment online; you know, something you seem to have a genuine passion for the same way this gentleman passed over. I bet he loved flying. Not that you would take the time to learn, but the FAA classifies many aircraft as experimental to avoid oversight and expensive licensing. Have some respect.