Small plane down in San Juan Islands, 1 hurt
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. (AP) - The San Juan County sheriff says a small plane has crashed in a field on San Juan Island, seriously injuring the 76-year-old pilot.
Sheriff Rob Nou says the pilot, from Eastsound on Orcas Island, was trying to land on a grass airstrip Friday afternoon when he caught power lines with his landing gear as he neared the runway.
The ripped power lines broke at least two nearby utility poles, dropping live wires that sparked a small wildland fire.
Power was temporarily disrupted in the area.
The unidentified pilot was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The sheriff says the man was alone in the Easton Gilbert SEAREY aircraft.
The plane was found upside down in a field about two miles west of Friday Harbor.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.
Sheriff Rob Nou says the pilot, from Eastsound on Orcas Island, was trying to land on a grass airstrip Friday afternoon when he caught power lines with his landing gear as he neared the runway.
The ripped power lines broke at least two nearby utility poles, dropping live wires that sparked a small wildland fire.
Power was temporarily disrupted in the area.
The unidentified pilot was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The sheriff says the man was alone in the Easton Gilbert SEAREY aircraft.
The plane was found upside down in a field about two miles west of Friday Harbor.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.
Praying for a full recovery. Â Sad to think he was starting 3-day-weekend R&R. Â
Colton Harris-Moore will be available in a few years for lessons. Â
 @nokoolaid4me Colton-Harris couldn't land a plane without crashing.
 @nokoolaid4me Excuse me, that would be Colton Harris-Moore.
 @blindman So Blindman. Is this what that other pilot was supposed to do? Landing in a field?
Always sad to see a fellow airman go down. Â I hope he makes a full recovery.