9:03 a.m. PT — Tyler Perry Studios has released an official statement Steve Human‘s death.

“Steve was a valued member of our team for more than eight years and was well-liked in the Atlanta community. It’s hard to imagine not seeing him smiling in the halls. We will miss him very much. Our condolences go out to his family as we all extend our prayers to them.”

Steve Mensch, president and head of general operations at Tyler Perry Studios, died in a single-seater plane crash in Florida on Friday evening, a source close to the studios told TMZ.

Steve was the pilot of a single-seat plane that crashed on a road in Homosassa, Florida.

Highway Patrol Troopers told local media they responded to the fatal crash that occurred on West White Dogwood Drive near the intersection of US 98, which connects to US 19 in Homosassa.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Steve has been president of Tyler Perry Studios since 2016… and according to his LinkedIn profile, he oversaw operations at Tyler’s 300-acre studio in Atlanta – adding that he has become a “significant figure” in the Georgia business community.

TMZ learns that everyone at Tyler Perry Studios is devastated by the news.

Steve leaves behind his wife and three children.

He was 62.

REST IN PEACE