Pilot killed in Pasco County plane crash identified

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — The pilot killed in the deadly plane crash in Pasco County on Sunday has been identified. Monday, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office named the pilot as Michael Bailey, 59, as the only fatality in the incident. His family has been notified. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to release a preliminary report about the crash. Officials with the administration said the plane crashed in the Grand Oaks neighborhood Sunday morning after taking off from Tampa North Aero Park. On Monday morning, debris was still in the backyard of several homes in the community. Neighbors heard the plane wreck and witnessed the aftermath outside their homes. "All of a sudden, I saw it turn and then just go straight down, and I couldn't believe my eyes," Christina Galbiati said. Sheryl Korth said flames from the crash were flaring feet from her home. "I just said a prayer but I'm also worried is it going to come in here," she said. "I could feel the heat and everything." Leaders with the FAA said the Cessna 402 took off from the air park at approximately 8:30 Sunday morning with one person onboard. "It's a sad day. Very sad day for the family and prayers for them," said Galbiati. Another neighbor, Patrecia Pryce, said. "It was really, really scary. Never experienced anything like that and I would never want to experience that again."