FLAGLER COUNTY — A pilot flying a 10-seater, Cessna 208 Caravan plane from Sebastian Municipal Airport, was killed late Friday when the aircraft crashed in a dense, wooded area of Flagler County. No one else was aboard the aircraft, officials said. "It's a recovery effort at this point. The family has not been notified because the individual's identity has not been confirmed," Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. "We extend our condolences to (the pilot's) loved ones." Officials were still working to identify the pilot. The FAA, along with the National Transportation Safety Board, will investigate the cause of the crash. Staly said the Cessna, leased from Eagle Air Transport Inc., was going to be used next week for a skydiving event. In a <a href="https://fb.watch/xMG56uJ4YK/">news conference</a>, Staly confirmed the 2012 Cessna departed about 5:30 p.m. Friday from Sebastian Municipal Airport. The Cessna was headed to Palatka Municipal Airport in Putnam County. Representatives with the National Transporation Safety Board said the crash occurred about 6:40 p.m. Flagler County sheriff's officials were notified of the missing plane about 8 p.m. "(The plane) dropped off the radar at about 900 feet. We were told it was descending rapidly," Staly said. "We had a pretty big area to search because we didn't have an exact location." Staly said Flagler deputies, with the help of a Volusia County Sheriff's Office helicopter, located the wreckage a little after midnight. "It was pitch (black), no moon and lots of cloud coverage...the worst conditions you can imagine to try and find an aircraft," Staly said. "We started walking and noticed the smell of fuel." <em>Video provided by Flagler County Sheriff's Office</em> [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://veronews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/479381896_28924246070499672_1895906545590818264_n.mp4"][/video] FAA officials said the plane crashed in a field in southern Flagler County near the Volusia County line. "It doesn't look like a glide path. It almost had a straight down impact," Staly said. "A Volusia helicopter spotted one of the tires." Staly said sheriff's officials were told the plane filled up on plenty of fuel before leaving the airport in Sebastian. Staly said the speed and impact from the wreck left a significant debris field. "There was no indication of a fire or explosion," Staly said. Staly said that Flagler sheriff's officials would photograph evidence and turn it over to the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board. An investigator with the National Transporation Safety Board was expected to arrive at the scene Saturday afternoon. Staley said officials with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection were at the scene examining the soil for possible contamination. "We will probably be out here for the next two-to-three days," Staly said. <em>Photos provided by Flagler County Sheriff's Office</em> [gallery ids="213843,213844,213845,213846,213847"]