FAA investigates ultralight aircraft crash

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a July 27 crashlanding that involved an ultralight aircraft, the Chardon Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol has confirmed.

Officials report it happened about 5 p.m. when the plane had engine troubles shortly after taking off.

“Apparently, they had just taken off somewhere in Concord Township,” Lt. Larry Roberts, OHP’s post commander, said July 30. “They pulled out, got up in the air, then lost power and couldn’t climb. So, they turned around and tried to come back and land.”

Their bid to reach the landing strip failed, however, Roberts confirmed, and the aircraft got caught in the tops of some trees in a wooded area, owned by Concord Township, just south of Summerwood Drive.

Roberts confirmed both of the aircraft’s occupants — the male pilot and female passenger — were transported from the scene by the Concord Township Fire Department.

He said both occupants were taken to Lake Health’s TriPoint Medical Center in Concord Township. From there, Roberts said, the man was taken by medical helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Both have since been treated for non-lifethreatening injuries and released, the lieutenant said.

Roberts said that, though there have been instances such as this over the last decade around Lake County, it’s not a common occurrence.

“They pulled out, got up in the air, then lost power and couldn’t climb. So, they turned around and tried to come back and land.” — Larry Roberts, OHP’s post commander