ZEPHYRHILLS, Florida — The pilot of a small aircraft was injured Monday afternoon after the aircraft crashed into a tree in Zephyrhills, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

  • Two witnesses helped pull injured pilot from plane
  • Pilot suffered minor injuries
  • Pilot reported losing power while trying to land

The crash occurred near the 36700 block of Paddock Lane in Zephyrhills. Authorities originally described the aircraft as "homemade."

Bob Porter lives near the scene. He said about 3:15 p.m on Monday he heard what sounded like a car crash outside.

"It's like two cars crashing, the sound of bent metal and it was all over in a split second," he said.

Porter and another man walked to the accident scene. They found a single engine plane crushed near a tree and sitting by a barn.

Porter said they noticed the pilot trying to get out.

"I think he'd sort of been knocked unconscious but he was trying to crawl out and the two of us got under his shoulders and pulled him out," Porter said.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said the pilot told authorities he lost power and aimed to land in the field but he hit a fence and tree on the way down.

He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Porter said he's surprised it wasn't worse.

"I've seen a lot of airplanes that were damaged a lot less than that and everybody was killed," he said.

He said he's also glad he was nearby and could call 911 and help.

"I think fate was with him," he said. "I'm a firm believer in fate."

Pasco Fire Rescue said there was no signs of fuel leaking from the plane.

Investigators are working to determine what went wrong with the aircraft.