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WIRE:03/19/2000 13:27:00 ET

Pilot killed as small plane crashes near Akron CLEVELAND (Reuters) - A small plane crashed and exploded on a residential street in Akron, Ohio, early Sunday, killing the pilot, destroying one house and damaging another, Ohio state police said. The pilot, who was alone in the 1965 Beech Musketeer A23, was the only fatality in the accident, Ohio state trooper William Lee said.

The plane crashed at 7:50 a.m. EST, shortly after taking off from Akron/Fulton Airport. The pilot's name was not being disclosed until the family is notified.

Lee said the plane was been flying north when it went out of control, clipped a garage, then exploded on the ground.

One house was destroyed by the flames from the explosion and the house next door was severely damaged, he added.

Bill Russel, who lives on the street where the plane crashed, said he heard the sound of an engine.

"When I looked outside I could see the plane coming toward the rooftop and I told my wife to call 911." He said the plane was already engulfed in flames when he got to the scene of the accident.

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), March 19, 2000