Update: Pilot dies following plane crash at Fond du Lac County Airport

FOND DU LAC COUNTY -- The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office says the pilot of a  single-engine plane that crashed near the Fond du Lac County Airport Thursday morning, July 28th has died.

Officials say 78-year-old David  Spencer died Tuesday, August 9th at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center.

The 911 center received multiple calls just before 8:30 a.m. on July 28th.

According to the FAA, the plane experienced a mechanical issue -- and the pilot asked to return to the airport soon after taking off. They were cleared to land, but crashed about a half-mile short of the runway.

The pilot of the plane, a 78-year-old  Spencer from Santa Fe, New Mexico, was taken to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah with critical injuries. He died around 8:15 a.m. on August 9th.

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The passenger of the plane, a 71-year-old man from Santa Fe, suffered serious injuries and was also taken to also taken to ThedaCare Regional Medical Center.

Witnesses saw it all happen.

"They reported that the plane appeared to be coming in possibly for a landing, making an abrupt turn, and then they made a comment that they thought it was going to hit the trees. Then it hit the ground," Captain Rick Olig with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office said.