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SAN MANUEL, Ariz. -- A 70-year-old pilot is dead after his small plane crashed and burned in a canyon near the airport in the Pinal County community of San Manuel.
Pinal County Sheriff's officials say the pilot was the only person aboard the home-built single-engine Mustang II FB when it went down about 9:15 a.m. Thursday east of Oracle.
They say the man is from Oracle and his name is being withheld until his family is notified.
Authorities say the pilot radioed that he was having oil pressure problems and was returning to the San Manuel Airport some 45 miles northeast of Tucson.
Witnesses say the plane went into a spin and caught fire after crashing two miles from the airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
