Plane crash at Apopka airport

Apopka fire and police responded about 3:35 PM Saturday afternoon to a plane crash at the Orlando Apopka Airport.

According to reports, the pilot of a 1976 Beechcraft King Air was attempting to land on runway 15 when a gust of wind blew his plane off the runway and into a tree, according to Apopka police Sergeant Ed Chittenden.

Fuel leaked after the crash and caused a fire that scorched the grass and tree, Chittenden said.

The aircraft hit the ground and careened into a palm tree, ripping off the right wing in flames before coming to a stop, according to witness accounts. Apopka firefighters arrived and quickly controlled the fire on the ground before it could reach a nearby hangar.

The pilot, 71 year old David Wishneski, was the only person on board during the plane crash and suffered a laceration to his head. He refused to be taken to the hospital.

The Orlando Apopka Airport is located 4 miles northwest of Apopka. It has one 4,000 foot runway.