OCALA, Fla. – A pilot was killed and a passenger was injured Friday when a plane crashed while landing in Marion County, authorities said.
PHOTOS: Sky 6 over crash scene
The Cessna 340A, which was carrying two people, crashed around 12:30 p.m. near Ocala International Airport, located at 750 Southwest 60th Avenue.
The pilot, identified as 55-year-old Paul Allen Golson, died at the scene, Marion County sheriff's officials said.
"By the time they were able to go back for the pilot, the smoke and the flames were just too thick that he was not able to be saved," said Jennifer Lowe of the Marion County Sheriff's office.
His wife, Carol Golson, 55, was pulled from the plane by citizens that witnessed the crash, deputies said. She is recovering from non-life threatening injuries in the hospital.
"She looked like she was in shock," said witness Marie Strahle. "She just had this blank look on her face like she had no idea what was going on."
Alberto Hernandez was one of several witnesses who rushed to the crash with fire extinguishers to put out the flames and pull the victims to safety.
"I was raised with the fear of God," said Hernandez. "In other words, in that moment, I just wanted to save people's lives."
Witnesses said the saw the plane crash and rushed to help.
"I seen the plane spin once and once it spun it hit the ground and once it hit the ground it blew up in flames," said witness Holly Sikes. "It turned and you see the wing and it went down."
Sheriff's officials said the plane crashed near 38th Street as it apparently was trying to land at the airport.
The last contact Golson made with the air tower was at 12:26 p.m. to report he was coming in for a landing, deputies said. Investigators said they think the crash occurred immediately after the contact.
Federal Aviation Administration officials said the accident occurred one-eighth of a mile off of the end of runway 36 at Ocala International Airport.
Ocala Fire Rescue said 16 firefighters responded to the scene and found the plane and the grass around it on fire. Several bystanders who were assisting at the scene suffered smoke inhalation and were treated by paramedics, fire officials said.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration website, the plane is registered to Flying G Aviation LLC in Wilmington, Del.
The plane departed Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon, Ga., at 10:30 a.m., according to flightaware.com.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
Golson, of Macon, Ga., had just accepted the position as the Ocala Health System Executive Officer, according to Ocala Health System officials.
"This is tragic news for our HCA family, and it will take time and the support of each other to deal with this loss," stated Michael Joyce, President of HCA's North Florida Division which includes Coliseum Health System, in a release. "Allen was a true friend and a great leader who enjoyed life and dedicated himself to his work. He will be deeply missed."
Golson was slated to begin his position Feb. 20 and his wife Carol is recovering in the same hospital he was supposed to run.
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