Pilot Dies In Small Plane Crash Near Space Coast Regional Airport: FD

TITUSVILLE, FL — A pilot died in a small plane crash in Titusville Monday morning, officials said.

According to the Titusville Fire Department, at about 10:16 a.m., the Titusville Fire Department, Titusville Police Department, Brevard County Fire Rescue, and Space Coast Regional Airport Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting personnel responded to a reported aircraft crash near Space Coast Regional Airport (KTIX) along State Road 405, Columbia Blvd.

Upon arrival, responders found a small, single-engine aircraft on Columbia Boulevard, just short of the Space Coast Regional Airport property, fire officials said.

Witnesses reported that the aircraft struck a power line before crashing onto the roadway, the Titusville Fire Department said.

Titusville firefighters extinguished the resulting fire with assistance from the airport’s Crash 1, officials said.

The sole occupant of the aircraft was pronounced deceased, the Titusville Fire Department said.

Due to the nature of the crash, detectives have not yet been able to positively identify the pilot; the individual’s identity will be released following positive identification and notification of next of kin, officials said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is on scene, and the National Transportation Safety Board is en route to investigate the crash, fire officials said.

TPD detectives will conduct the death investigation while assisting the federal agencies as needed, officials said.

Additional agencies assisting with the response include the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and the Medical Examiner’s Office. Columbia Boulevard will remain closed for an extended period while the investigation continues, and a specialized company travels from Jacksonville to remove the aircraft, the TFD said.

The Titusville Police Department will manage traffic control and provide roadway updates through its social media channels, officials said.

Florida Power & Light estimated that repairs and restoration of electrical service will take several hours, officials said.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board also issued a statement: "NTSB is investigating the crash of a Mooney M20F airplane on Sept. 7 near Titusville, Florida. The preliminary information we have is that it experienced a reported engine failure after departing the Space Coast Regional Airport. The aircraft turned left in an attempt to return to the runway but crashed into trees and powerlines near the airport. A post-crash fire ensued."

An NTSB investigator is en route to the scene and is expected to arrive shortly, the NTSB statement said. "Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft. The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation," the NTSB said.

A preliminary report will be available within 30 days, the NTSB said.

The FAA said: "A Mooney M20P crashed near Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville, Florida, around 10:15 a.m. local time on Monday, Sept. 7. Only the pilot was on board. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates."

The Titusville Police Department said that police, the Titusville Fire Department and emergency crews were at the scene "of an aircraft incident on Columbia Blvd. (SR 405) between Sisson Road and S. Washington Avenue. Both eastbound and westbound lanes of Columbia Boulevard (SR 405) remain closed between Sisson Road and U.S. 1. "Motorists should use alternate routes and plan for the possibility that the closure may remain in effect overnight and into Tuesday, September 8," police said.