Pilot Suffers Minor Injuries In Bowie Plane Crash

BOWIE, MD — A pilot suffered minor injuries when his small plane hit trees on his approach to Freeway Airport in Bowie and crashed in a field Thursday night. The crash was reported about 6:20 p.m. at Church Road and Fairview Vista Road, according to Maryland State Police.

A small fixed-wing, single engine, aircraft, a Cessna 172, was found by police upside down in the trees. The pilot, Michael Paul Pillsbury, 72, of Washington, D.C., told troopers that he was making his final approach to land at Freeway Airport upon his return from Ocean City.

Pillsbury said there was no lighting and he could not see the tree line as he was approaching the airport. Pillsbury told troopers that his aircraft hit with the tree line and overturned, causing him to crash.

Pillsbury was taken to University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He was alert, responsive, and able to walk out of the woods. According to investigators, no signs of impairment were noted.

Prince George’s County Fire Department, Prince George’s County Police Department and the National Transportation Safety Board also responded to the crash. According to investigators, no signs of fuel leakage or hazardous materials were detected.

There were no injuries reported on the ground as a result of the crash. The aircraft remained in the field overnight until arrangements can be made for a salvage company to remove it.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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