Small plane crashes into UPS building near Va. airport; pilot dies, no ground injuries

Plane pilot dies after crash into Va. UPS building

ROANOKE, Va. — The pilot of a single-engine plane that crashed into the side of a Viriginia UPS Freight building has died.

Spokeswoman Allison Buth says 59-year-old Peter Sheeran died at a hospital after Tuesday’s crash near Roanoke airport in western Virginia.

She says passenger John Whitmer is in serious condition. Both men are from Charlottesville.

There were no other injuries.

Roanoke County Fire spokeswoman Jennifer Conley Sexton says the plane was taking off just before 1 p.m. Tuesday when it hit power lines, crashed into the corner of the building and then burst into flames.

Airport spokeswoman Sherry Wallace says Sheeran reported a problem with the Piper to air traffic controllers shortly before the crash.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. corrects pilot’s age)