MEC&F Expert Engineers : PIPER ARROW PLANE CRASHES IN ORCUTT STRAWBERRY FIELD IN SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA; PILOT INJURED. MECHANICAL FAILURE CITED AS POSSIBLE CAUSE OF EMERGENCY LANDING

Sunday, April 5, 2015

PIPER ARROW PLANE CRASHES IN ORCUTT STRAWBERRY FIELD IN SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA; PILOT INJURED. MECHANICAL FAILURE CITED AS POSSIBLE CAUSE OF EMERGENCY LANDING












The pilot of a Piper Arrow suffered minor injuries when he crash-landed in an Orcutt strawberry field, but he and his passengers were able to walk away from the incident. (Santa Barbara County Fire Department photo)

APRIL 4, 2015

A small plane crash-landed in an Orcutt strawberry field Saturday, but the three people on board survived, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

The pilot suffered minor injuries in the crash, but his two passengers were unhurt.

At 11:44 a.m., a Piper Cherokee Arrow aircraft made an emergency landing in a strawberry field just east of Highway 101 and Clark Avenue, fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni said.

On board the plane were the pilot, his son and his son’s fiancĂ©e, Zaniboni said.
He said the plane appeared to have been brought down by mechanical failure.
“The pilot was complaining of some minor injuries, some scrapes and bruises,” Zaniboni said.

County firefighters responded with three engines and a battalion chief, and a Santa Maria Fire Department engine also was on the scene.

As of 12:15 p.m., the plane was still in the field, awaiting investigation, Zaniboni said.  The plane sustained minor damage.

The pilot’s identity was not disclosed.
Source: http://www.noozhawk.com