ASHLAND – A Hopkinton man’s ultralight aircraft lost power as it flew over Ashland State Park on Wednesday, crashing into the water.
David Diana, 48, of Hopkinton was not injured, but his small aircraft was fully submerged after the 4:30 p.m. crash, Fire Chief Scott Boothby said.
“When he was flying, he experienced some engine trouble,” said Boothby. “He tried to get back to the Marlborough Airport (where Diana took off), but unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get back to the airport.”
The aircraft crashed sideways into the water and quickly became fully submerged, the chief said. Diana was able to unbuckle himself and get out of the aircraft, Boothby said.
Tim Newman of Medway was just putting his 15-foot aluminum boat into the water to fish with his three children when the plane went down.
“He came crashing down into the water and I had just put the motor on, and I began heading to where the plane was,” said Newman. “He (Diana) popped his head out of the water, and I yelled over to ask if anyone else was in there and he said no. I asked if he was hurt and he said, ‘I don’t think so.’”
Diana held onto the boat and Newman brought him back to the Spring Street boat ramp. There, paramedics and emergency workers were already waiting after numerous 911 calls.
Newman said he led firefighters to the approximate location of the crash.
Boothby said the aircraft is about 200 to 300 yards from shore. He said it is submerged in 20 to 30 feet of water.
He said firefighters checked for any fuel leaks, but it appears the gas tank, which holds five gallons, did not burst.
“We’re just waiting for the (Massachusetts) state police and their dive team to come and to see how they’re going to get it out of the water,” Boothby said.
Newman said he and his children never did get a chance to fish, but he said he is OK with that.
“I told them ‘Here’s a fishing trip you’ll never forget,’” said Newman. “I’m just glad he (Diana) wasn’t hurt.”
Source: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com
A helicopter made a crash landing into the water at the Ashland Reservoir on Wednesday afternoon, according to Massachusetts State Police.
The crash was reported around 4:30 p.m. in an area off Spring Street.
The 48-year-old pilot of the single-engine ultralight told police he had taken off from Marlborough Airport and lost power as he was flying over the reservoir, causing him to make the crash landing.
After the helicopter went down, the aircraft started to sink, but the pilot was able to get out safely. He was helped to shore by some area boaters.
The pilot was not hurt.
Police said the aircraft was carrying fewer than 5 gallons of fuel and does not pose a risk to the environment.
Ashland Police are investigating the crash but because the aircraft is an ultralight, authorities said it's unclear if the Federal Aviation Administration will be conducting their own investigation.
Source: http://www.necn.com
The Ashland Fire Department tells FOX25 it is unclear if the aircraft involved is a helicopter or an ultralight.
State police say the pilot of the aircraft is safely onshore.
SkyFox was over the scene, live video of the search was streamed on the FOX25 Facebook page.
Story and video: http://www.fox25boston.com
ASHLAND, Mass. —An ultralight helicopter crashed into the Ashland Reservoir Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
The crash was reported around 4:50 p.m. It became completely submerged in the water.
The pilot, David Diana, was able to get out of his seatbelt and swim to the shore, according to the Ashland Fire Department.
Members of the fire department are trying to manage the oil from the aircraft.
Diana told reporters he was not hurt.
Sky5 saw emergency responders were gathered near the edge of the reservoir.
Officials said the goal is to remove the helicopter by nightfall.
Sources said at least one person is out of the aircraft, but it's unknown if anyone else was inside at the time of the crash.
Source: http://www.wcvb.com
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