ROCK HILL, S.C. — A North Carolina businessman who was a co-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats has died in a single-engine plane crash.

Authorities say 49-year-old William "Skipper" Beck of Charlotte, N.C., died in the crash around 7:15 a.m. Friday at a local airport in South Carolina just across the state line from Charlotte.

The York County coroner and the Federal Aviation Administration say Beck was the only person aboard the Cirrus SR22.

Witnesses say the plane returned shortly after take off, but crashed as it tried to land and caught fire.

An Internet flight tracking site says the plane flew from New Jersey to Rock Hill on Wednesday.

Bobcats owner Robert L. Johnson issued a statement saying that Beck was instrumental in bringing the NBA team to the area.