Pilot killed in crash of small plane in Methuen, Mass.

March 1 (UPI) -- The pilot of an experimental aircraft was killed when his plane crashed into the roof of a Methuen, Mass., condominium complex, authorities said.

Alan Lavender, 73, former mayor of the nearby city of Newburyport, died in the crash Tuesday afternoon. His plane, a one-passenger, single-engine Sonex he personally built n 2016, was attempting to land at Lawrence Municipal Airport in North Andover, about one mile from the crash scene, the Boston Globe reported.

The plane struck the roof of the complex, damaging two condominiums and starting a small fire, and lodged itself in the uppermost floor of the building. The condominium units were unoccupied at the time, and all residents of the complex escaped safely. Witness described a loud noise and falling debris when the plane struck the 12-unit complex.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the incident.

Lavender was Newburyport mayor from 2002 to 2003. Current Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday referred to Lavender as a fixture of the community who regularly attended local events.

"He was well known and well respected across the city. Everyone who knew him enjoyed working with him," Holaday said.