CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - A pilot was killed Wednesday afternoon in a small plane crash in Chesterfield.
The plane crashed near Chesterfield Airport Road and Long Road. Images from 5 On Your Side's chopper show the small plane crashed near a BP gas station and McDonald's.
According to Flight Aware, the plane was on its way to Spirit of St. Louis Airport from New Mexico. It was scheduled to depart from New Mexico at 8:28 a.m., but took off at 10:21 a.m.
The plane — a Beechcraft Bonanza B36 — crashed just a few yards from a tanker transporting gasoline, and burst into flames. A person was pumping gas at the time of the crash, but only suffered minor injuries from falling debris. No one else was hurt.
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson tweeted that the pilot is Jim Smith who she credits with saving the Chase Park Plaza.
The FAA and NTSB will investigate the crash. The plane will remain on the scene for the investigation.
Chilling audio released Thursday morning details Smith's last words. "I'm losing my power... I don't think I'm going to make it."
