PLANE CRASH AT KEY WEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; NO INJURIES

KEY WEST, FL – A general aviation, Cessna Cardinal 177, single engine plane based in Key West took off from runway 9 at Key West International Airport on Thursday afternoon and immediately lost engine power.

The pilot, David M. Wyant, 58, told airport officials he couldn’t maintain altitude and tried to glide to water. The plane clipped power lines before crashing about 1:21 p.m. on airport property. The plane also grazed fuel pumps as it came to a stop near Monroe County’s public works yard. The crash caused a power outage that was restored about an hour later, according to Keys Energy Services.

There were three on board: Wyant, co-pilot and plane owner, Abraham Cox, 51, and 12-year-old David Wyant Jr. There were only minor injuries, with no one requiring transport to a hospital.

There was no fire, but the plane leaked a small amount of fuel. Monroe County Fire Rescue put foam around the area to prevent ignition of that fuel.

The airport remains opens.

The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash. The Department of Environmental Protection will deal with the fuel leakage.

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