HILTON HEAD, S.C. (March 16, 2010)--A plane whose pilot was making an emergency landing struck and killed a man who was jogging along a Hilton Head, S.C., beach, officials say.

A Hilton Head Island fire and rescue spokeswoman said the single-engine plane started leaking oil at about 13,000 feet and the pilot was trying to land at the local airport, but was forced to land on the beach.

Authorities in Hilton Head said Robert Gary Jones of Georgia died instantly when the plane hit him as it touched down.

It had lost its propeller and the pilot's vision was blocked by oil on the windshield.

Jones evidently did not see or hear the plane.

His mother, Pauline Jones of Florida, said he was excited to be going home Wednesday to see his wife and two children and celebrate his daughter's birthday.

He was a salesman for drug company GlaxoSmithKline and traveled often for business.

His mother said he loved fishing, cooking and sports.

The plane was an Experimental Lancair IV-P.

Offcials said federal transportation officials are investigating.