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Plane Carrying Teen, Pilot Stalled Before Crash: Report

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TBO.com

Published: March 26, 2009

The single-engine plane flown by a nationally known aerobatics pilot and carrying a teen passenger stalled and appeared to fly erratically before crashing into Dade City orange grove March 9.

Those were the findings of a preliminary report released today by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The crash killed pilot Paul Lopez, 40, and passenger Richard Seufzer, 17.

Witnesses say Lopez was performing aerobatic maneuvers about 12:20 p.m. shortly before the MX-2 experimental aircraft stalled, according to the NTSB report. During the maneuvers, witnesses say the plane was flying at low altitude, "followed by a stall and loss of control," the report states.

The plane crashed nose-first into an orange grove near Enterprise Road and Old Lakeland Parkway. Fire destroyed much of plane after the crash, the report states.

Lopez was scheduled to perform at the Valiant Air Command Airshow in Titusville that week. A nationally known aerobatics pilot, he launched an Internet radio show called "Smoke On Aerobatics."

Seufzer was a student at Zephyrhills High School. He dreamed of being a pilot, and posted a note at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport asking for help on a senior project, his father Greg said.

Lopez responded to Seufzer's message and was also helping his protégé earn his pilot's license.

Lopez's plane took off from Zephyrhills Municipal Airport shortly after noon March 9. Lopez did file a flight plan before takeoff, the report states.

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