Gresham, Oregon: Man struck by Challenger II aircraft - Danny Oothoudt remains in serious condition since Sunday’s incident

Courtesy of Washington County Sheriff's Office

The Ultralight aircraft was taxiing after landing when one of the wings apparently hit Danny Oothoudt.

A Gresham man is still hospitalized in serious condition after being struck in the head by an ultralight airplane’s wing Sunday afternoon, April 29. 

Danny Oothoudt, a 64-year-old photographer, has been in serious condition at Oregon Health & Science University since the incident, said Tamera Hargens-Bradley, spokeswoman for OHSU.

Washington County sheriff’s deputies around 4:30 p.m. Sunday responded to a report of a man on the ground and unresponsive after being struck by an ultralight airplane on a private runway in the 16500 block of Southwest Meyer Lane in Tigard.

Investigators determined that Timothy Akers, 59, of Portland was taxiing his plane after he landed, and one of the airplane’s wings hit Oothoudt, knocking him unconscious, according to a press release.

Investigators reported the runway is private, made of grass.

It is being used for landings and takeoffs of a Challenger II kit plane, which is classified as “ultralight” because of its small size, a few hundred pounds, and low horsepower, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue transported Oothoudt to OHSU with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Source:  http://www.theoutlookonline.com