Federal Aviation Administration and NTSB officials are investigating the death of man who fell or jumped from a twin-engine CASA CN-212 Aviocar as it approached Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina.
The aircraft was making an emergency landing after losing its right wheel.
While approaching Raleigh-Durham International Airport the co-pilot exitted the aircraft, which at the time was about 15 miles to the southwest of the airport over the town of Fuquay-Varina.
The body of the co-pilot, identified as Charles Hew Crooks, 23, was recovered in Fuquay-Varina just before 7 p.m., Wake County emergency management spokesperson Darshan Patel said during a news conference.
It is unclear whether Crooks jumped or fell from the plane, authorities say.
Crooks was not wearing a parachute when his body was recovered.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.