Aircraft Went Down During Simulated Emergency: FAA

LAKE ELSINORE, CA – A single-engine plane that went down just north of Lake Elsinore after striking a power line was in the middle of a simulated engine-out procedure when the accident happened, a Federal Aviation Administration official confirmed Tuesday.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor told City News Service that the Piper PA-28- 140 Cherokee was maneuvering at low altitude about noon Saturday in the area of Colt Drive and Bosley Lane when the aircraft clipped the transmission line.

"The pilot was practicing a simulated engine failure," Gregor said.

An instructor and student, neither of whom were identified, were on board, but it was unclear which of the two were at the controls. Both suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene by paramedics, but declined to be taken to a hospital to be checked out. There was also no word why the plane was allowed to drop to such a low altitude during an exercise.

After the Piper hit the line, it nosed down into the ground.

"There was damage to the fuselage, propeller and nose gear," Gregor said.

Southern California crews had to repair a power pole and electrical lines at the crash site just west of Interstate 15, along a hillside in the Alberhill community, adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest.
According to FAA records, the plane is registered with Chino-based flight school Dubois Aviation.

The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to release a preliminary accident report at the end of this week or early next week.

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--City News Service/Shutterstock image