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Pilot dies in fiery crash at Lake Lanier Islands, officials say

An 11Alive viewer sent in video of the scene that showed the fiery crash in the parking lot of the lake's island resort.

BUFORD, Ga. — The pilot of a small plane is dead after the aircraft went down at Lake Lanier Islands Thursday afternoon, according to the authorities.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office said they were called out to Lake Lanier Islands Resort around 5:15 p.m. Deputies said the plane crashed in a parking lot on Lanier Islands Parkway near Pine Cone Drive.

The pilot was the only person onboard the plane, deputies said. Nobody on the ground was injured, according to officials. The pilot was identified as 60-year-old Howard Lee Joe of Dunwoody, according to the sheriff's office. 

An 11Alive viewer sent in video of the scene that showed the fiery crash in the parking lot of the lake's island resort.

A spokesperson with the Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft that crashed was a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the crash. A preliminary accident report is expected to be posted by the FAA on Friday.

Another viewer sent in a picture of the smoke billowing into the air from the crash.

Credit: Provided

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