FOLEY — Pilot Russell Smith survived a fiery plane crash Tuesday afternoon, just before 2:30 p.m. The crash occurred just south of the Foley Municipal Airport, off North Hickory Street in Foley.

Capt. David White with the Foley Police Department said the pilot had engine trouble shortly after taking off from the airport.

"He crashed into some oak trees right outside Little Bitty's Towing," he said. "The plane almost immediately caught fire and spread quickly as the pilot was trying to escape. He dropped a short distance from the plane in the trees."

Foley Fire Department and Foley Police Department arrived shortly at the scene.

Smith was assisted from the crash site. Smith walked away with some minor injuries — cuts and bruises — and refused medical treatment on site.

The plane, however, was not so lucky, and was engulfed in flames shortly after the crash.

The FAA and NTSB have been notified and are currently investigating.