1 dead in small plane crash

State News

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February 9, 2010

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Investigators say one is dead and three suffered burns after a small plane crashed in Gwinnett County Monday.

Gwinnett County Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge confirmed that the pilot of the Beech 65 twin-engine died in the wreck, which happened around Simmons Circle and Spring Circle in Lawrenceville.

Rutledge said three more passengers suffered non life-threatening burn injuries and were transported to Gwinnett Medical Center.

Federal Aviation Administration records show the plane was manufactured in 1960 and was registered to a Robert Peter Watson Sr., of Dawsonville.

Firefighters responded to the crash shortly after 5 p.m. to find the plane engulfed in flames with the pilot still inside, Rutledge said. The passengers had managed to get out, he said.

Rutledge did not immediately identify the deceased, pending notification of family members.

Firefighters discovered the plane behind a house in a wooded area not far from downtown Lawrenceville and a nearby neighborhood.

“We believe the plane may have impacted a tree,” Rutledge said, adding officials are still investigating the cause of the wreck.

Nobody on the ground was injured.

Investigators believe the plane crashed shortly after taking off from Gwinnett County Airport at around 5 p.m.