A single-engine plane crashed at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport on Saturday afternoon, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
- Single-engine plane crashed at St. Pete-Clearwater Airport
- Pilot taken to hospital with serious injuries
- Plane's front end severely damaged
The crash happened at about 1:19 p.m. on runway 36.
Robert Brandon, 67, took off around 1:15 p.m. when he reported a mechanical issue on the plane, deputies said.
Brandon attempted to turn the plane around to land, crashing near the runway on the north side of the airport.
He was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg with serious injuries. Brandon was the only occupant of the plane.
The plane sustained severe damage to its front end. Both wings also broke off the plane.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
A cause has not yet been determined.
No additional information was immediately available.