Well-Known Lutz Family Suffers Loss After Plane Crash

Harold Cameron MacManus, 59, was the pilot and only person on board a small plane that crashed in Cypress Creek Preserve in Land O' Lakes on Sunday, Feb. 24.

He grew up in the area and is the brother of well-known University of South Florida professor and political analyst Dr. Susan MacManus. 

"He'll be missed," MacManus said in an interview with WFLA-TV, where she serves as political analysist. "I loved him dearly."

Susan MacManus and her late mother, Elizabeth, have written books on the history of Lutz and Land O' Lakes. Citrus, Sawmills, Critters & Crackers and Going, Going, Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O' Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories.

Watch a Lutz history presentation by MacManus from the Lutz Library.

Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies found the wreckage of Harold MacManus' plane on Feb. 25. It crashed off Ehren Cutoff Road in Land O' Lakes in the Cypress Creek Preserve. The crash scene is about two miles into the preserve. 

The sheriff’s office was told earlier that the plane possibly few out of Tampa North Airport and went down sometime the night of Feb. 24. A relative of the pilot contacted authorities after they hadn't heard from him after takeoff. 

It is unclear at this time what caused MacManus' plane to crash. The investigation will be turned over to the National Transportation and Safety Board and Federal Aviation Authority.

Editor Keli Sipperley contributed to this report.

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