POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities responded Tuesday morning to an Ultralight aircraft that crashed near the South Lakeland Airstrip.

Polk County Sheriff's officials have confirmed one fatality.

Sheriff Grady Judd said witnesses heard the aircraft's engine sputter, followed by the crash. The 76-year-old victim — Arthur Canning of Lakeland — died at the scene, Judd said.

The airstrip is along Highway 60 south of the area between Plant City and Lakeland.

Judd said the aircraft was new and that the pilot had used it for the first time on Saturday.

This comes a week before Lakeland's annual Sun n' Fun Aerospace Expo opens on April 9.

This is a developing story and more information will be provided as it becomes available.