Autopsy Complete in Small Plane Crash Near Cola Metro

COLUMBIA, SC ( WOLO ) – – The Lexington County Coroner has identified the victim of a plane crash as Bob Russell Jr of Columbia. The small private plane crashed Saturday morning on private property near Old Barnwell road, according to officials with Columbia Metro airport. Officials said the plane lost contact with crews shortly after 9:00am Saturday. Officials say the plane crashed on private property off Old Barnwell road upon take off as it was in route to Ashville, north Carolina. The National Transportation Safety Board is now leading the investigation into the incident to find out what caused the plane to come crashing down into a pond Saturday morning. According to officials the only person on board was the pilot, 85 year old Robert Russell Junior from Columbia. An autopsy conducted Sunday revealed Russell died as a result of multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the crash. Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher says they did not find any medical conditions that would have led to Russell loosing control of the plane. Drowning was also ruled out as a cause of death. The cause of the plane crash remains under investigation. (Source: Columbia Metropolitan Airport)