Arizona closes Picacho Peak State Park after small plane crash that killed pilot

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Picacho Peak State Park in southern Arizona is closed until further notice after a small plane crashed near the summit, killing the pilot.

Pinal County Sheriff’s officials said 68-year-old James Galvin of Oro Valley was the only person aboard the single-engine plane when it crashed around 7:30 a.m. Saturday. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A hiker called 911 after seeing the plane go down, according to authorities.

The cause of the crash will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.

Authorities said an NTSB investigator arrived Sunday to begin documenting the crash scene and examining the wreckage of the Rans S-12XL Airaile aircraft.

Picacho Peak State Park is located about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Tucson and surrounds the peak.