VANCOUVER, WA (KPTV) -
One man was killed and the pilot critically injured after a plane crash at Pearson Air Park in Vancouver.
Witnesses told Fox 12 it appeared the homemade plane experienced engine problems shortly after taking off around 4 p.m. Wednesday.
"As it got airborne about 200, 300 feet in the air, I heard the engine sputter," said Major Roger Callahan of the Civil Air Patrol.
SLIDESHOW: Plane crash photos
Callahan said the pilot, Hannibal Woodward, tried to circle back, but the plane began descending very quickly into the ground.
He and other witnesses rushed over and tried to help the two men onboard, even performing CPR to the passenger.
Firefighters said the man had died before the first crew arrived. His name has not been released, pending the notification of family members.
Woodward was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries and remained in critical condition Thursday afternoon.
"He built the aircraft; he was very well known by people here," said Callahan, of Woodward.
"Your heart goes out to the families. The aviation community is very tight. When anything happens to anybody, it happens to all of us."
A neighbor of Woodward told Fox 12 he had years of flying experience and recently received his commercial license.
Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
