Pilot, 73, dies after homemade plane crashes into tree in Oak Hill, deputies say

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies said a 73-year-old man died after the experimental, homemade plane he was piloting crashed into a tree in Oak Hill on Tuesday afternoon.

Deputies said Charles Alban had just traded planes with another pilot for the plane he was operating, which was a Taylor Monoplane. Deputies said witnesses told them Alban had taxied the plane several times at the Blue Ridge Flightpark Airport before he got comfortable and planned to fly home to Venice, Florida.

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But investigators said the plane did not climb into the air, and suddenly veered left, hitting the tree.

Deputies said Alban was transported to a nearby hospital, where he died.

Deputies on the scene said there did not appear to be anything suspicious about the aircraft. The investigation was turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.

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