Authorities investigate fatal Oklahoma plane crash

OKMULGEE, Okla. (AP) – Authorities are investigating the cause of an airplane crash in Okmulgee County that killed the only person on board.

Officials say the body of the plane’s pilot, Gene Thompson of Tulsa was found in the wreckage following Friday’s crash.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says plane crashed outside the town of Preston in Okmulgee County. Preston is about five miles north of Okmulgee.

The Cessna 172, single-engine aircraft was reported missing Friday afternoon when it failed to arrive at Tulsa’s Riverside Airpark after departing from Fort Worth, Texas.

The Oklahoma Wing of Civil Air Patrol searched for the plane from the ground and air.

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear. National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.