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Local man dies after plane crash
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Forsyth County News

Louisiana authorities have identified the student pilot who died in a plane crash Saturday as Jeffrey Wallace Dickson, 39, of Cumming.

According to the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, Dickson and instructor Lyle Panepinto were inside the plane near the Oak River area when a strong wind flipped it.

Plaquemines Parish, La., authorities could not be reached for comment.

According to the Times-Picayune report, however, Dickson had been learning how to take off and touch down on bodies of water.

He reportedly worked for the U.S. Department of Interior and held a pilot’s license and several certificates.

Panepinto managed to get out of the plane, but Dickson was trapped inside. The instructor waved down two passing boaters who then reportedly dove into the water and freed Dickson.

He and Panepinto were taken to a New Orleans hospital, where the Times-Picayune reported that Dickson was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.