Bahamas police: US man killed in small plane crash

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Police in the Bahamas have identified a U.S. citizen killed when his small plane crashed while attempting to land on the island of Eleuthera.

A police official says Coy Lee Austin was the only one aboard the Cessna 310. Superintendent Paul Rolle says the 88-year-old Austin had owned a home on Eleuthera and lived there part time for many years. Police said he was originally from Texas.

Austin was attempting to land near Governour’s Harbor on Friday when the control tower redirected him to an airstrip at the island’s northern tip. Rolle said there was heavy rain, strong winds and poor visibility and the control tower lost contact with the experienced pilot shortly after redirecting him.

Rolle said Monday that an autopsy was planned. The crash is under investigation.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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