According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a motorized hang glider and its pilot, a 71-year-old man from Saxonburg, Pennsylvania struck a tree shortly after takeoff around 10:20 a.m.
He was reported to be between 30 and 40 feet up in the tree.
The pilot sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken by life flight to St. Elizabeth Youngstown for treatment. Officials on scene told 21 News that the pilot suffered an ankle injury and may need surgery.
A friend of the pilot spoke with 21 News at the scene and told us the pilot has been flying aircraft like this for around 40 years without incident.
The motorized hang glider is not required to be registered by the FAA.
Crews were on scene until 1 p.m. working to get the hang glider out of the tree.
Impairment from alcohol or drugs is not a factor according to OSP.
The crash is under investigation.
TRUMBULL COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) — After a trike wing aircraft crashed into a tree at Braceville Airport Saturday morning, various rescue crews were called to assist, Warren Township Fire reported.
The pilot was reportedly injured in the crash, and rescue teams helped get the person out of the plane, which was stuck up about 30 feet off the ground.
After the pilot was taken to a nearby trauma center, the crews got to work removing the aircraft and were reportedly able to successfully get it down without any injuries
Braceville Fire Department, Newton Falls Joint Fire District, Southington Volunteer Fire Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol all worked together in rescue efforts.
Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers in Warren said a motorized hang glider was stuck in a tree about 30 feet in the air.
“Gentleman’s a tough, tough gentleman,” said fire chief Todd Garland.
OSP reports said the 71-year-old pilot is conscious and alert, but suffered a compound fracture on his left leg, a broken collarbone and a few other injuries. He was flown to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown.
Numerous fire departments, and ambulances are on scene were able to get pilot out of the glider and down from the tree.
“Would up being about 35-36 feet in the air. The plane was inverted, hanging from the front tire, his leg was stuck in there, the whole nine yards. He was wedged,” Garland said.
OSP said the crash took place shortly after takeoff shortly after 10 a.m. He crashed in a swampy area, which made rescue difficult.
The pilot made a left turn, then crashed into the trees.
“It was working off the top of 40-foot extension ladders trying to cut limbs down and get — he was just tangled — he just hung and was twisted right in the middle of all the trees,” Garland said.
The pilot’s friend Felipe Amunategui witnessed the incident. He isn’t sure how it happened but they’ve been flying for over 40 years and very rarely see this happen.
“He took off, seemed uneventful. It was climbing out and in a usual manner, makes a left turn, which is typical when you’re flying out of the pattern and then suddenly the turn became more steep and abrupt and the aircraft is now flying in a southerly direction and it struck the treeline,” Amunategui said.
“Everybody worked great. We had awesome crews, awesome guys. I can’t thank these guys enough honestly,” Garland said.
Warren OSP is continuing to investigate the crash.
