OCALA, Fla.,None — The pilot of a small twin-engine plane died when his aircraft crashed near Ocala International Airport early Friday afternoon.
Allen Golson, who had just been named CEO of Ocala Health System, died when the plane, a Cessna 340, crashed on approach to the airport. His wife, Carol, a passenger in the plane, suffered non-life-threatening injuries in the crash.
Raw Video: Surveillance of scene just before and after the crash
Eyewitnesses who rushed to the downed aircraft were able to pull Carol Golson from the plane. According to officials she was taken to a local hospital. Rescuers were unable to pull Allen Golson from the burning aircraft. One rescuer was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
Alex Defio works across the street from the crash site. He was part of a large group that rushed over to the empty field next to the Ocala airport to help the victims.
“I heard a big explosion. Plane hit the ground, and all the gas poured out, so I went and got the fire extinguisher. They pulled one girl from the wreckage.,” said Defio.
The plane is registered out of Wilmington, Del., and was traveling from an airport outside Macon, Ga.
Golson had just resigned his postion as chief executive officer for Coliseum Health System in Macon. He was scheduled to take up his new position in February.
Friday afternoon Ocala Health System released a message to the media.
"This is tragic news for our HCA family, and it will take time and the support of each other to deal with this loss," the message read.
Investigators from the NTSB are headed to the scene to begin looking into the cause of the crash. Investigators said there was no distress call from the pilot, and that they don't believe weather was a factor in the crash.
WFTV
