SODERHAMN, Sweden, June 2 (UPI) -- A weekend air display show was cut short in eastern Sweden after a 67-year-old man died when his plane crashed moments after takeoff, officials said.
Lars-Erik Fleck raised an alarm immediately after his SK 50 propeller-driven plane lifted off Saturday from Soderhamn airport, Swedish news agency TT reported Sunday.
The plane crashed into a forested area just beyond the runway where it is believed Fleck died instantly, the news agency said.
"It is an unfathomable tragedy. He was such an experienced pilot and a fantastic plane mechanic," Fleck's friend, Per-Olov Blom, told the tabloid, Expressen.
There were no passengers in the plane and none of the 500 spectators at the event were injured, TT reported.
"A fire started immediately after the crash and there was a minor forest fire around the plane," said Per Andersson, head of the rescue operation.
Hans Dunder, chairman of the Bollnas aircraft club, said the weekend-long air display show was cut short Saturday after the 2 p.m. crash.
"We're doing it out of respect for the pilot and his family, whom we empathize strongly with," he said.
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, TT reported.
