Pilot Survives after Plane Crashes Into Tree

4/28/2016
Updated:
4/28/2016

Surveillance video in Foley, Alabama, captured a plane plunging into a tree on April 26.

The twin engine Cessna 42 plane then burst into flames.

Surprisingly, the pilot, Russell Smith, who was identified by Foley Municipal Airport manager Rachel Keith, was alive.

Smith only had a cut on his hand when he was rescued by three men who happened to be at the scene.

It was reported that he never went to the hospital and he declined medical treatment.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Smith was the only person aboard the aircraft, ABC7 reported.

Corey Kirkwood, a line service technician at the airport told ABC News he was the last person to touch the plane before Smith took off.

He also said prior to the crash Smith “took an insane amount of time to take off.” 

Smith then complained that the plane did not have much power.  

However, it is unclear what caused the plane crash. 

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are currently investigating the botched takeoff.