A cropdusting pilot is recovering from burns to his arms and face after a fire destroyed his plane late Friday morning.
It all happened off U.S. Highway 281 just east of Muñoz Avenue in Bluetown around 10:48 a.m. Friday.
Investigators said the pilot had just landed and was preparing to go out for another run when the engine caught fire.
La Feria Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rick Garcia said the pilot was not able to escape the plane before the flames spread to the cockpit.
Chief Garcia said paramedics rushed the man to a local hospital for treatment of burns to his arms and face.
Witnesses told Action 4 News that the plane and the pilot were covered in flames.
The witnesses tried to put out the fire with a water hose but were not successful.
They said a tire exploded just after motor oil and fuel caught fire.
Chief Garcia said the cause of the fire is not known but the incident remains under investigation by the Cameron County Fire Marshall's Office.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials told Action 4 News that their investigators will also investigate the incident.
Aciton 4 News will provide more information as it becomes available.
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