A Jackson architect died Wednesday when his small plane crashed into a wooded field east of Clinton, authorities said.

William Joseph Jr., 55, was flying to Ocean Springs where he had bought a house several months ago when the crash occurred.

Joseph’s plane, a 1955 Cessna 310, crashed shortly after its noon takeoff from Hawkins Field, according to Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen.

“The pilot reported a problem” and attempted to return to the airport to land, she said.

The plane hit the ground 4 miles west-northwest of the airport, within yards of the Jackson/Clinton line. Only the pilot was aboard, Bergen said.

“There are no survivors,” said Larry Fisher, director of the Hinds County Emergency Operations Center.

The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Joseph had been a pilot for 25 years and owned several other planes, friends said.