Tyler Perry's Studio President Steve Mensch Killed In Plane Crash

5:52 PM PT -- Tyler Perry has broken his silence over the death of Steve Mensch ... expressing his deep admiration and respect for his friend ... while noting how hard this time of year is for him with devastating losses.

"This time of year, grief meets me like an unwanted visitor, as tomorrow marks 15 years since the loss of my mother. It feels especially harder because I have lost so many friends and mentors this year, ranging in age from as young as 40 to 92. And today, yet another loss.

I’ve been trying to understand this tragedy all day—what went wrong with that plane. Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it. I’m praying for his family as we all try to make sense of this heartbreak.

Life is but a moment; we are like vapors. Hold strong to the people you love AND TELL THEM!"

9:03 AM PT -- Tyler Perry Studios Studios has released an official statement on Steve Mensch's death.

“Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than 8 years, and well beloved in the community of Atlanta. It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers.”

Steve Mensch, the president and manager of general operations at Tyler Perry Studios, was killed in a single-seater plane crash in Florida on Friday night, 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, which happened on West White Dogwood Drive near the intersection of US 98, which is connected to US 19 in Homosassa.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Steve has been the president of Tyler Perry Studios since 2016 ... and his LinkedIn profile says he oversaw operations at Tyler's 300-acre studio in Atlanta -- adding he became a "significant figure" in the Georgia business community.

TMZ is told everyone from Tyler Perry Studios is completely devastated by the news.

Steve is survived by his wife and 3 kids.

He was 62.

RIP