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Boy injured after small plane crashes on California beach

12 hours ago

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Channel_8_SanDiego Videos

Plane crashes into ocean in Carlsbad

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  Plane crashes into ocean in Carlsbad
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CARLSBAD, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say a small plane crashed into crowded beach in Southern California, sending a 12-year-old boy to the hospital with minor injuries.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the single-engine Piper PA18 lost engine power and hit the beach in Carlsbad shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday.
The aircraft, which had been towing a banner, flipped over after landing.
California State Parks Lt. Justin McHenry says the 23-year-old pilot was not injured, but the youngster who was on the ground sustained a gash to his head. He was taken to a hospital in San Diego.

The beach was packed for the Fourth of July.

A witness told KGTV-TV beachgoers took off running when they saw the plane go down.
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This story has been corrected to show that one person was hurt, not two.

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View Comments (340)

end quote from:

http://news.yahoo.com/banner-towing-plane-crashes-california-beach-2-injured-001959562.html#

 

Years ago I used to fly out of Carlsbad Airport. Then I was flying Grumman low wing planes as I took flying lessons in the early 1970s. My father was working building the Encina power plant then in Carlsbad which supplies a lot of the power to that area and down to San Diego.

 

I think they call it the:

1. McClellan-Palomar Airport

   www.sandiegocounty.gov/dpw/airports/palomar.htmlCached

   McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad is a gateway to and from San Diego’s North County. It serves the general aviation community, corporate aircraft and commercial ... 

   
   

   now.

   
   

   Most crashes like this occur just during takeoffs because water gets into the gas wing tanks and if it gets into the engine the engine will sputter and quit. This is why if you are a pilot checking if there is water on top of the gas in your wings is really important before you take off each time, especially if you are on the coast where moisture can be a problem when it condenses on top of your gas tanks inside.

   
   

   Some pilots forget to do this and problems occur during or after takeoff. I don't know if this was the problem in this crash but it is a common one especially in new or careless pilots who don't check all the variables. This can easily happen if you haven't flown your plane for awhile and your airport is near the ocean or you live in a very humid environment.

   
   

   It isn't likely to happy in the desert where it is very dry but then you have to watch for other things like dust storms and static electricity and higher winds than you get other places especially in gusts.