Description
It's now been more than 24 hours since a deadly plane crash at the South Lakeland Airport near State Road 60 and Coronet Road in Mulberry.
Investigators are trying to piece together what happened but we do know the plane was a type of experimental amateur build aircraft, known as an “ultralight.” They're usually built or finished by hand by the owner.
The motor glider was certified for airworthiness in October, not normally required for experimental aircraft. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the pilot, 76-year-old Arthur Canning, had about 10 years of experience flying several types of planes.
“You have to take the proper training and learn how to fly this kind of aircraft,” said sport pilot certified flight instructor Ariel Acevedo, who rents hangar space next to Canning at the airport.
“I think it was a loss of control, and he entered in a spin and hit the ground suddenly,” he said. “That happens when somebody doesn't have enough knowledge of what he's doing.”
MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/ultralight-airplane-glider-safety/67-23c82560-ae0f-441e-b17d-fbbf64a7b3a5
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