Lake Little, 18, had been practising “touch and go” takeoff and landing when she crashed into a golf course on Saturday afternoon.
Lake, an aspiring speech therapist and pilot, was airlifted to hospital where she later died from severe burns.
A witness to the horrific crash said: “We were on (hole) 9… It looked like it was landing and then aborted the landing and we saw it struggle to come back up.
“Then, when we were walking off the green it just fell straight down into the trees.”
The University of Mississippi, which owns the airport where Lake had been practising, announced the teen’s death on Sunday.
Spokesman Rod Guajardo said: “No one on the ground was injured, the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been contacted and will investigate the scene of the crash.
“We will provide further updates as they become available.”
The teen had been planning to attend University of Southern Mississippi later this year to study speech pathology and audiology as well as competing in the Mississippi’s Miss Hospitality pageant.
The director of the pageant said: “Lake had a vibrant personality. She was full of life and lived it to the fullest.
“She was very passionate about flying and had just recently received her private pilot’s licence. She wanted to eventually become a pilot for FedEx.”
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant tweeted: “Such sad news about Lake Little. A beautiful light has passed from this world far too soon.
Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill also tweeted: “The City of Oxford mourns alongside those of you in Starkville.
“Prayers for peace and comfort for the family of Lake Little and for all of those who loved her. May God wrap His loving arms around you.”
According to Lake’s Miss Hospitality profile she aspired to fly for FedEx, but also had plans to open her own speech pathology clinic to help children and the elderly while maintaining an aviation career.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.
Lake had recently received her pilot licence Credit: Facebook
The recently qualified pilot had big aspirations as a pageant queen and soon to be student Credit: Twitter
The single engine private plane crashed on the Ole Miss golf course close to the airport where Lake had been practisingCredit: WREG
Kirsty is a news editor and content provider and has worked in the news industry for several years.
Outside of work, Kirsty is a keen pole sports athlete. You can find her on Instagram at: Kirsty_Pole
