Crime & Safety
Small Aircraft Hits Fence During Emergency Landing In East County
A student pilot and instructor were the only reported passengers aboard the Bellanca Citabria 7ECA, officials said.
EL CAJON, CA — A light single-engine aircraft hit a chain-link fence Saturday while making an emergency landing from reported engine failure close to Gillespie Field, authorities said.
The accident occurred around 11 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Airport Drive adjacent to the airport, which is located 11 miles northeast of downtown San Diego in El Cajon, according to the Heartland Fire Department.
A 25-year-old student pilot and instructor were the only reported passengers aboard the Bellanca Citabria 7ECA and both exited the aircraft safely, officials said.
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Sky conditions at Gillespie Airport were clear at the time, with 10-mile visibility.
"There were no injuries and the plane touched the fence," a Heartland Fire Department official told City News service.
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The FAA was investigating the incident.
— City News Service
