Small Plane Crashes Near Sonoma Airport

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — The pilot of a small airplane crashed and hit a tree Friday afternoon near the Sonoma Skypark public airport. At 1:48 p.m. Friday, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said in an advisory that deputies were on scene of the incident at 8th Street East and Knolle Bros. Road in Schellville.

The crash was reported at 1:15 p.m. and involved an S10S motor-glider, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot overshot the runway while landing at the airport, struck a tree and landed on a road, FAA Pacific Division Spokesman Ian Gregor told Patch.

"The pilot, who was the only person on board, was not seriously injured," Gregor said. "The FAA will investigate."

Roads near Sonoma Skypark, which is located 21870 8th St. East, were expected to remain closed until the scene was cleared, according to the sheriff's office.

Most of the glider landed in a field but a wing was extending over a lane on the road, sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.