The pilot of a small plane suffered only minor injuries after crashing into Lake Mendocino Thursday, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The aircraft, described as an ultra-light with one occupant, crashed near a small island in the lake, and due to the extremely low water levels, medical responders were able to drive their vehicles very close to where the glider went down.
“They walked maybe only 150 to 200 yards to reach the pilot,” said MCSO Capt. Greg Van Patten, describing the man as having only minor injuries. According to scanner traffic, he was “complaining of back pain.”
The plane crash was reported around 10 a.m. April 29, and around 10:25 a.m. Van Patten reported that the aircraft was “completely submerged,” and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer was trying to determine how to recover the aircraft.
Poppy Lozoff, the supervising ranger for Lake Mendocino, said Thursday morning that USACE rangers “are at the shoreline trying to determine if it is safe to launch a jet ski,” explaining that it would not be safe to launch a barge.
“Now that the pilot is safe, our main concern at this point is water quality,” said Lozoff. “My understanding is the (aircraft’s) fuel tank is sealed, but there could have been other liquids on board.” Scanner traffic had described the glider as having “10 to 15 gallons of fuel.”
The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority and a MedStar ambulance also responded to the scene.
In a press release Thursday afternoon, the MCSO reported that the pilot was a 71-year-old Potter Valley resident who had taken off in his place from the Ukiah Municipal Airport at 9:50 a.m. About 10 minutes later, the airplane reportedly began having engine trouble and lost power before crash-landing in Lake Mendocino.
The pilot reportedly “escaped the sinking plane with only minor injuries” and declined medical aid, the MCSO reported.
The MCSO also reports that “the airplane is believed to be submerged in approximately 15-30 feet of water, and recovery efforts had to be postponed until April 30, as specialized personnel and equipment are needed for the recovery.”