The pilot and passenger escaped with minor injuries from the reported crash of a light, single-engine aircraft at Aurora State Airport this afternoon. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the scene at approximately 3:35 p.m.
The pilot and passenger were later identified as Anthony Pate, age 64, of Sherwood and Dick Omen, age 70. Deputies believe that Pate, the pilot, was attempting to land the Piper Malibu Mirage from south of the airport when he struck a fence and radio antenna, causing the crash. Deputies have completed their portion of the investigation and have left the scene to be further processed by the NTSB and the FAA.
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AFD on scene Aurora Airport on a crash. pic.twitter.com/OdiBciY23P