Single engine plane crash kills American Airlines pilot near Ada

FITTSTOWN, Okla. (AP) -- A single-engine airplane crashed into an abandoned house, killing the pilot of the airplane and touching off a fire.<br/><br/>The pilot -- identified by relatives as off-duty American

Monday, March 6th 2006, 2:10 pm

By: News On 6

FITTSTOWN, Okla. (AP) -- A single-engine airplane crashed into an abandoned house, killing the pilot of the airplane and touching off a fire.

The pilot -- identified by relatives as off-duty American Airlines Captain Robert -M- Reinauer -- was alone in the Cessna C37 airplane, and there were no reports of any injuries on the ground Monday.

FAA spokesman Roland Herwig says the crash was reported to the Federal Aviation Administration at 1:11 PM.

The flight originated in Stonewall and crashed about two miles south and a half-mile east of Fittstown. Both towns are located near Ada in southeastern Oklahoma.

The 59-year-old Reinauer -- who was a Stonewall resident -- was planning to retire from the airline later this year before his 60th birthday. Commercial airline pilots are required to retire at age 60.

American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith says Reinauer piloted 767 wide body jets and flew routes to Europe and other international destinations.