Pilot in Florida Plane Crash Reported Trouble

April 20, 2009
Twin-engine Cessna 421 pilot wasn't specific about malfunctions.

OAKLAND PARK, FL -- Officials say the pilot of an airplane that crashed into a south Florida home radioed the control tower that he was having problems shortly after takeoff.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Robert Gretz said Saturday that pilot Cecil Murray wasn't specific about the malfunctions. The Federal Aviation Administration told him Murray only reported he was having trouble and needed to return.

Murray's twin-engine Cessna 421 was cleared for all runways, but he didn't make it that far. He crashed into a home outside Fort Lauderdale and the aircraft burst into flames.

Murray's death was the only casualty. His family told investigators he was flying to Fernandina Beach to sell the plane.

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