By Gina Yarbrough
San Diego, CA–A pilot is lucky to be alive after his plane crashed and landed sideways on the runway at a skydiving facility on Friday in Otay Mesa, authorities said.
The Sheriff’s Department Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call around 2:48 p.m. for an ultralight aircraft crash at Skydive San Diego located at 13531 Otay Lakes Road.
Deputies and San Diego fire crews rescued the 73-year-old pilot from the aircraft. He did not suffer any injuries and refused medical treatment.
The pilot was conducting a maintenance check flight. Just after takeoff, he began having flight control issues along with strong crosswinds. While attempting to land the aircraft, the crosswind and flight control issues caused the aircraft to crash and land sideways on the runway. The aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear and right wing. There was no damage to any other surrounding property.
National Transportation Safety Board and FAA were notified and will conduct an investigation.
