80-year-old pilot identified after plane crash Saturday in Franklin County

ZEBULON, North Carolina — The State Highway Patrol on Sunday identified the pilot involved in a plane crash the day before in Franklin County.

According to authorities, the plane crashed near the intersection of Reid and Howard Tant roads. Authorities say an 80-year-old man, identified as Frank M. Swett Jr., was piloting the plane at the time.

FAA records show Swett was the owner of Crooked Creek Airport, where the North Carolina Soaring Association is based.

He was taken to hospital with moderate injuries.

“It doesn't happen all the time in Franklin County. This is a community that loves its aerial activities,” said Nicholas Thorpe, Franklin County emergency management director.

He said the nose of the plane hit the ground and spun.

“The plane is a glider tow plane,” Thorpe said. “He had just finished towing a plane into the air when the pilot reported engine problems.”

According to FAA records, the North Carolina Soaring Association owns the plane.

Their website states that the club offers free flight lessons to its members operating out of Crooked Creek Airport in Zebulon.

“That's the big message here: keep checking your equipment and make sure all the things ready to go when you go out and fly,” Thorpe said.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.