Pilot suffers minor injures as light plane crashes near Waymart
Published: July 6, 2009
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share thisCLINTON TWP. - An amateur pilot suffered minor injuries Sunday after crashing a small airplane on approach to a private airstrip in Clinton Twp. just off White Oak Drive.
Airstrip owner Darryl Gustin said his friend and fellow pilot James Parker, 66, of Clinton Twp., took the ultralight clip wing plane out for a flight and as he came in for a landing, came up short, crashing nose-first into the hill on which the airstrip sits. Mr. Gustin said Mr. Parker was the only occupant of the experimental plane, a Chall- enger II.
Wayne County communications officials said the accident happened at about 6 p.m.
Mr. Gustin said he was able to rescue Mr. Parker from the plane and that his friend had hurt his ankle and wrist, but otherwise seemed to have only bumps and bruises.
"He's a good pilot; I'm surprised," Mr. Gustin said.
He suspected that cool air coming off the Lackawaxen River may have robbed Mr. Parker of some lift and forced him to come in low. The plane, Mr. Gustin said, is a total loss.
The Federal Aviation Administration is expected be on site today, Mr. Gustin said.
Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com
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