ST GEORGE — A small plane crashed at the St. George Regional Airport on Saturday, killing its 69-year-old pilot.
Sterling Palmer, of St. George, was piloting an experimental plane, a single-engine Colonial C2, when crashed shortly after takeoff around 9 a.m., according to the city planner, Marc Mortensen.
Palmer was the only person aboard the plane and appeared to have died on impact.
It is unknown why the plane crashed, Ian Gregor, public affairs manager with the Federal Aviation Administration Pacific Division, said Saturday. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, but, Gregor said, it often takes up to a year to determine a cause for such incidents.
"Our hearts and prayers go out to Mr. Palmer's family at this time," said St. George Mayor Jon Pike.