68 yr old gentleman killed at KLAL today

[old cfi]

Local FL news reports he was on his student solo flight when he slammed into the ground short of the runway. Plane burst into flames immediately with no chance to rescue him. Knowing what the media does to facts I hope at least he wasn't a student. Realizing what was probably a dream he had for years, I can't imagine how family feels. As a CFI, I don't even want to go there if this flight was indeed his first student solo.

RIP and condolences to friends and family.

Later report has his age at 64 and his name was Gary Alan Mansell.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

Later report has his age at 64 and his name was Gary Alan Mansell.

No one by that name in the airman database. Suggest may have been a recent student pilot.

Voter database confirms person by that name and age in Florida there.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

Photo in news article seems to show tracks leading to the crash site from the runway and the plane turned around 180 degrees. Possible ground loop?

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

Those tracks are rather large and deep to be from a LS aircraft moving and producing lift. I wondered if the tracks are from a fire truck at the scene.

Looking at the tracks more carefully, they are not continuous and do not appear to come in from the right of the picture frame. There is also what appears to be debris near the start of the tracks. Could they be the tracks for the very hard impact of the wheels?