A small plan(Hashed at the Suwannee County Airport Monday, Sept. 11, at about 4 p.m. But it was no terrorist attack. Witnesses said they heard the plane sputter.

One flight student was injured in the crash.

According to Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) Deputy Tanya Joy, the plane went down at the airport while the flight student attempted to lift off.

Bradley Neal, 18, of Lake City, was just entering mid field during lift-off when the engine began to sputter, Joy said, relaying the account a witness and the flight instructor gave her of the event.

Neal re-fired the engine at least twice and on the third time he attempted to land, according to Joy. While trying to land, the wind tipped one of the plane’s wings, causing the plane to cartwheel over, Joy said.

The plane crashed in the north east corner of the airport property. It did not appear there was any fire from the crash.

TraumaOne emergency helicopter arrived on the scene within minutes and Neal was air-lifted to Shands at UF to be treated for what appeared to be serious injuries. Suwannee County Fire/Rescue, located at the west end of the airport, was on scene within seconds and treated Neal initially.

Sheriff Tony Cameron said at the scene that Neal was the only occupant on board.

Mark Fessler, Neal’s instructor, and at least one witness saw the crash unfold. Witnesses were not available for comment at press time pending the arrival of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which will investigate the cause of the crash.

Chris Harrison, a county jail building maintenance worker, arrived at the scene minutes after the crash. He said Neal appeared to be conscious and talking and appeared to have suffered possible head and leg injuries.

“He thought he was going to die,” said Harrison.

Many rushed to the scene to help, including Sheriff Cameron, Chief Deputy Ron Colvin, several SCSO deputies, Suwannee County/Fire Rescue workers and Suwannee County Public Works Department personnel and others.

“From time to time we see plane crashes among crop dusters, but this is the first time I’ve seen a plane go down since a crash at the airport in 1992,” said Sheriff Cameron.

In the 1992 crash, a pilot was killed and a deputy critically injured at the airport while searching for evidence in a murder case.

The FAA will conduct an investigation of the crash. The area has been blocked off for investigation.

Democrat Reporter Robert Bridges contributed to this story.