Small plane makes emergency landing at park in Northern California

Federal aviation officials are investigating why the pilot of a small plane made an emergency hard landing Thursday at a park surrounded by single-family homes in Northern California.

The single-engine craft was found on its belly in a soccer field in Phoenix Park in Fair Oaks just after 2:30 p.m. The local fire department told Fox 40 that the pilot was able to walk away from the hard landing with only minor injuries.

The four-seat Piper Comanche was Auburn-bound from Salinas, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot tried to divert to Mather Airport in Sacramento before landing in the park, KCRA-TV reported.

A spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department told the station only a parked car was clipped during the landing.

Firefighters applauded the 49-year-old pilot -- who is said to have 20 years of flying experience -- for maneuvering the plane into position given the circumstances.

Phoenix Park is named after Phoenix Field, a small airport that used to occupy that space.

The FAA on Friday was investigating what went wrong with the plane.

ALSO:

FBI seeks help in identifying ‘Valley Bandit’ bank robber

Hunter who sparked massive Rim fire to be charged, official says

Eight indicted in burglarizing of vacationing L.A. Times subscribers

jason.wells@latimes.com

Twitter: @jasonbretwells | Facebook | Google+