Straight into Compton: A Small Plane Crash

Compton crash (Luis Sinco / Associated Press)
Luis Sinco / Associated Press

On Wednesday afternoon, a pilot of a small plane crashed near Compton/Woodley Airport in Los Angeles.

The plane crashed in a residential backyard about 2:21 p.m.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Compton Station said the cause of the aircraft’s “hard landing” was unknown, and no one but the pilot was injured. The Compton Fire Department’s interim chief said the cuase was engine failure. The FAA stated that the pilot, in his 50’s, flew solo in the Piper PA-28, and his injuries were not life threatening.

A witness, Manuel Lopez, told KTLA that he aided the pilot in exiting the plane. Compton interim fire Chief Brian Batiste said the pilot suffered a deep laceration above his left eye.

According to federal records, the fixed-wing Piper PA-28 is registered to Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum in Compton, although the plane’s registration expired September 30. The museum’s flight school acknowledged that the pilot was a student there.

In August, the pilot of a single-engine Aviat A1 crashed at Compton/Woodley Airport, killing the pilot, who had been trying to pick up an advertising banner.

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