A pilot was killed in a small plane crash in Truckee, California Thursday morning.
The Truckee-Tahoe Airport general manager says the crash happened as the plane was taking off around 8:15am.
He says he witnessed part of the crash and it seemed as if the plane was having difficulty climbing while taking.
Firefighters who responded say the single-engine plane actually crashed through the top of a hangar. "The plane literally dropped in through the top of the hangar and a fatality is inside," says Paul Spencer.
The pilot was the only person on board and died at the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board is on scene investigating the crash.
We're still waiting on official confirmation, but the Los Medicos Voladores, or the Flying Doctors have identified the pilot as an emergency room doctor and surgeon, James Unger on their Facebook page.
Dr. Unger was a volunteer pilot for the group.
The group said he originally had two other volunteers onboard, but were having trouble getting enough lift to take off, so they landed.
He then tried a second take off, but experienced more difficulties while climbing the air. That's when the plane crashed.
Please stay with Channel 2 News for the latest.
