Pilot killed in plane crash flew animal rescue missions

Pilots N Paws, a volunteer organization where general aviation pilots help animal rescue volunteers to transport animals in need to safe havens mourns the loss of one of its pilots.

On Monday, Palm Beach County authorities identified the pilot killed in a small plane crash in Lake Worth over the weekend.

A sheriff's office statement said 33-year-old Timothy Johnson, Jr. of Miami was pronounced dead at the scene. National aviation officials are investigating.

The plane crashed Saturday afternoon inside John Prince Park. Authorities say Johnson took off from Lantana Airport to fly to Tamiami Airport in Miami. The plane was seen at an awkward angle after takeoff, banked, then nosedived into a stand of palm trees and burst into flames.

"It is with a great sense of loss that we share the tragic news of a plane crash that took the life of longtime Pilots N Paws Pilot Timothy E. Johnson of Florida," read a message on Pilots N Paws' Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon. "Tim had been flying Pilots N Paws rescue missions since June, 2009. He was not on a rescue mission at the time of this flight. The world has lost someone very special. We are fortunate to have had such a compassionate young man fly for our organization. Tim will long be remembered by the Pilots N Paws community for his selfless volunteerism."

For information on memorial and funeral services, click here.