Small plane crashes on lawn in Ohio, killing pilot

Officials blame mechanical malfunction

3/31/2012
BLADE NEWS SERVICES

BELMONT, Ohio — Authorities say a small plane has crashed on a lawn in eastern Ohio, killing the pilot.

Police tell WTRF-TV that the single-engine light plane crashed Friday night east of Belmont. The plane had been based at Alderson Airport in nearby St. Clairsville.

Officials tell the station that the aircraft was homemade and crashed after a mechanical malfunction.

The victim's identity hasn't been released.