Pilot who died in ultralight aircraft crash is identified

MOUNT VERNON, Ill. (AP) - Authorities have identified the man who died when the ultralight aircraft he was piloting crashed in southern Illinois.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office identified the man on Wednesday as 39-year-old Jason Pearson of McLeansboro.

The crash was reported Tuesday afternoon, near the airport in Mount Vernon. Pearson was the only person on board.

The Federal Aviation Administration didn't return a message seeking comment on Wednesday. A day earlier spokesman Tony Molinaro said it's believed that ultralight is so small that it may not be considered an aircraft and local law enforcement are likely to complete the investigation.