JENNINGS — A crop duster pilot was killed Friday after his plane reportedly hit a communication tower and crashed into a nearby field at La. 1126 and Castex Landing, southeast of Jennings, Chief Criminal Investigator Chris Ivey said.

The pilot has been identified as 52-year-old William Precht Jr. of Iowa. The plane crash was reported to the Sheriff’s Office at 6:15 p.m., when the pilot’s operation base lost communication with him while he was spraying.

“The ground crew did not get a response and went looking for him and found the plane,” Ivey said. “They immediately notified our office that the plane was down.”

There is believed to be no witness to the crash, he said.

The plane is owned by Riceland Aviation at the Jennings Airport.

Deputies have secured the scene pending the arrival of Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigators, he said.

(MGNonline)