IOWA CITY, Iowa - A Bloomington pilot injured when his single-engine plane crashed Tuesday morning in Iowa City reportedly has been released from the hospital.

Lewis Martin, of the 1900 block of Longwood Lane, was flying a single-engine Socata turboprop that crashed shortly after leaving an Iowa City airport about 10 a.m.

A passenger, Sydney Blanton, 2, died about eight hours after the crash, according to the Johnston County medical examiner's office.

Martin was flying the girl and her mother home to Georgia following the girl's treatment at University of Iowa Hospitals for a club foot.

The woman also was hospitalized, but authorities said she did not have life-threatening injuries. Her condition was not available.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The flight was through Angel Flight Central, a nonprofit organization based in Kansas City, Mo., that provides free flights for people in need. Pilots such as Martin provide the service without reimbursement for time or transportation costs.

ISU President Al Bowman said he knows Martin well, and he confirmed Thursday that Martin has been released. Hospital officials declined to disclose his medical status.

Bowman said he has lost count of how many times the pilot has flown him to meetings and athletic events. The university has reimbursed him for costs, but Martin volunteered his time, Bowman said.

The university president described Martin as an exceptional pilot, and he said it was clear from watching him and other pilots that Martin was careful, precise and professional.

"I would fly with him again tomorrow," Bowman said.

Martin also has flown university vice presidents and more often has flown members of the university athletics department, Bowman said.

"When you're with him, you get a sense that this is an individual who has devoted a great deal of time to mastering the skills to be a competent pilot," Bowman said. "This isn't a hobby for him."

Bowman said he was told Martin is distraught over the crash and the young girl's death, and it is unclear if he will continue flying. He said the man suffered a broken nose and required some stitches on his face and head, but he does not know of any injuries that would prevent him from flying.

The university president said Martin was proud of his work with Angel Flight and he had made it clear the organization was an important part of his life.