One dead in small plane crash

SARASOTA, Fla. (WSVN) -- The small sea plane crashed and exploded into flames near a Sarasota airport.

Officers said the pilot was attempting to take off when it crashed.

One witness said, as the plane was coming back down, it clipped a tree, taking down branches. He then came face-to-face with the pilot. "At that point," said Rich Parker, "it just exploded into flames. I mean, there was not even a split second of hesitation. It was on fire. He was calling for me to help and reaching for me and struggling and laying on his back. But there was flames everywhere. I yelled to him that I was sorry that I couldn't get any closer, and I said a prayer and stayed with him."

The pilot was killed in the crash. Another passenger was severely injured.

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