One dead in small plane crash in Greenville County

A man died Sunday evening when his small airplane crashed in a large, grassy field in southern Greenville County, the coroner’s office said.

Mary Black said her parents live on the property and she lives across the road. She said her children and husband saw the plane spiral to the ground. Her husband and father tried to help the man.

The pilot, who was the lone occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene, Deputy Coroner Kent Dill said.

Residents reported the plane crash about 5:30 p.m. Sunday off Oak Hill Road, the Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies, firefighters, and EMS responded to the area.

“The plane was engulfed in flames and it was just so hot they couldn’t get close enough to do anything,” Black said.

Firefighters extinguished the fire, Dill said.

Black said her family was familiar with the pilot of the plane. He lived in the area and regularly used a small, private airport nearby. She said he built the plane himself.

The coroner’s office has not released the identity of the man.

Local authorities will work with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board on the investigation, Dill said.

This story was originally published April 24, 2016 at 10:38 PM with the headline "One dead in small plane crash in Greenville County."