BY SHELBIE GOULDING
A twin-engine plane crashed off Winkles Road and caught fire Saturday morning.
It is unknown whether the crash was caused from pilot error, malfunction or other factor, but there were two individuals, a pilot and passenger, on board, according to Joey Duggan, division chief for the Sumter Fire Department.
Duggan said the individuals were conducting mineral expiration for the United States Geological Survey, a scientific agency of the federal government.
Duggan said the blaze had the Piper PA-31 twin-engine aircraft “pretty much burnt up,” and the pilot and passenger were both transported to Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital.
Deputy Adrienne Sarvis, public information officer for the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, said the occupants sustained non-fatal injuries, and the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash.
