Student Was Piloting Plane That Crashed: St. Pete Police

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg Police Department has reported a Wednesday morning crash at Albert Whitted Airport.

According to the agency, the crash happened around 11:20 a.m. March 1 at the 107 8th Ave. S. airport.

"When fire units got on scene they found a single engine Cessna that had crashed in front of the airport tower, primarily damaging the landing gear," an email from the police department said. "The pilot was a student that was practicing landings and takeoffs and while attempting a landing, the plane crashed near the tower."

Police say the male pilot, who is not being identified, was the only person on the plane at the time of the crash.

"There was no fire involved with the crash, however, fire personnel did have to handle a minor fuel leak," the email said.

The FFA has been notified and will take over the investigation, the agency said. No further information is available at this time.

Photo 1 courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department/ Photo 2 by Lt. CLW‏ @ClwLt used with photographer permission