Ocotillo Wells County Airport. Photo: County of San Diego
OCOTILLO WELLS–A pilot was injured Wednesday morning when his ultra-light small aircraft crashed at the Ocotillo Wells County Airport, authorities said.
Just after 8:30 a.m., the Sheriff’s Communications Center received a “911” call stating there was a small aircraft which had crashed at the Ocotillo Wells County Airport in Ocotillo Wells. The reporting party stated there was at least one person injured in the crash.
Deputies from the Ranchita Sheriff’s Substation responded to the location along with Cal Fire and California State Parks. When rescue crews arrived at the location they found a single seat aircraft had crashed onto the runway of the airport.
The 57-year-old pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, had sustained minor injuries and was transported by air ambulance to Palomar Hospital for treatment.
The pilot was performing low altitude maneuvers over the airport when the plane stalled and it fell to the ground from an unknown height, according to authorities.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board were contacted and the FAA responded to the scene.
The airport was supposed to have been closed at the time of the collision due to recent flooding and the FAA responded to conduct an investigation. The FAA is handling the investigation of the crash.
