Pilot Uninjured In Plane Crash At Petaluma Aiport

PETALUMA, CA — A pilot escaped injury in a plane crash Saturday at the Petaluma Municipal Airport.

Personnel from the Petaluma police and fire departments were dispatched around 2:40 p.m. Saturday to the airport at 601 Sky Ranch Drive and found a bi-plane upside down on the east side of the airport, completely off the runway, Petaluma FD Battalion Chief Kevin Weaver said.

The pilot was the only person in the plane and he managed to free himself from the wreckage, Weaver said.

Petaluma Fire Department crews worked to stop gasoline from leaking from the plane.

"The pilot told officers that his plane was altered by a gust of wind just prior to landing," Petaluma police Sgt. Paul Gilman said. "He made a correction before the plane bounced, turned off the runway, struck a concrete housing, and a tetrahedron housing the wind speed and direction indicator — or "wind sock" — and flipping the 1942 Stearman biplane onto its top."

The pilot was properly using his safety equipment and thankfully he was uninjured, Gilman said.

A Petaluma Airport representative notified the National Transportation Safety Board while a Petaluma Fire Department official ensured the Federal Aviation Administration was notified.

Estimated damages were dependent upon an investigation of the incident and removal of the aircraft, which were pending but expected to be completed as soon as possible, Petaluma fire officials said.

The Rancho Adobe Fire District helped cover calls in the city while the Petaluma Fire Department responded to the incident.