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One dead following crash at Lakeland Linder Airport

lakeland plane crash.jpg
Posted at 11:23 AM, Dec 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-23 10:16:12-05

LAKELAND, Fla. — Authorities in Lakeland are investigating an airplane accident that killed one person Saturday morning.

Authorities say Gary Mansell, 64, crashed when he was doing touch-and-go landings, which is an an exercise where the airplane takes off immediately after landing — never coming to a complete stop.

On the third touch-and-go Mansell's plane took a hard left and crashed into the ground, officers say. After crashing it burst into flames. The Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting vehicle responded and had the fire out within two minutes, Gary Gross with the Lakeland Police Department said.

Authorities say Mansell, of Plant City, died on scene. He was a student pilot, according to Lakeland PD. He was flying a 2014 BRM Aero Bristell Light-Sport Plane.

NTSB will investigate the cause of the crash.