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TUCSON - A 77-year-old pilot from Oracle was killed when the single-engine plane he was piloting went into a spin and crashed into Smelter Wash, near San Manuel, this morning, according to authorities.

Pinal County Sheriff's officials confirm that their office responded to the plane crash, about two miles north of San Manuel Airport, at 9:14 a.m. Thursday. When deputies arrived, they located the plane, which had caught fire after crashing.

According to a witness, the pilot reported over radio that he was having oil pressure problems and was returning to the airport before the plane crashed.

The plane is described as a single-engine Mustang II FB. San Manuel Airport is located about 45 miles northeast of Tucson.

Images courtesy Pinal County Sheriff's Office